A Virginia man accused of placing pipe bombs in Washington, DC, has asked a federal judge to dismiss his case, claiming that former President Donald Trump’s broad Jan. 6 pardon protects him. Brian Cole Jr. allegedly left explosive devices near the Republican and Democratic national committee offices on the night of January 5, 2021, just hours before the Capitol riot. His lawyers argue that his actions are closely tied to the events of January 6, making him eligible for Trump’s sweeping pardon. “The President’s pardon clearly applies to Mr. Cole, because his alleged conduct is directly linked to the events at the Capitol on January 6,” his legal team stated in court filings. They maintain that his actions are not independent of the riot and that he should not face prosecution. Trump issued a full, unconditional pardon to nearly all individuals convicted of crimes connected to the January 6 attack on his first day back in office last year. The move effectively ended a long Justice Department investigation into the riot. Prosecutors argue that Cole’s alleged bombs diverted law enforcement resources from the Capitol, potentially worsening the chaos. The FBI arrested Cole at his parents’ home in December. He pleaded not guilty in January to federal charges, including transporting and attempting to use explosives. The investigation shows Cole allegedly spent months gathering bomb-making materials. Authorities say he left viable devices outside political offices in Washington, DC. FBI agents also analyzed Cole’s phone data, linking him to cell towers in the Capitol Hill area at times matching security footage from the night he planted the devices. Cole’s lawyers counter that the devices could never have exploded. They also note that Cole, diagnosed with autism, maintains a strict daily routine and has been peaceful. Cole continues to deny all charges and insists on his innocence. During FBI interviews, Cole expressed belief that the 2020 election was stolen. Prosecutors point to messages and calls that align with his movements near the Capitol the evening before the riot. They argue that this evidence shows a deliberate effort to place the bombs in political locations. The legal motion to dismiss Cole’s case under the Trump Jan 6 pardon highlights ongoing debates about the scope of presidential clemency. If granted, the request would prevent federal prosecutors from pursuing charges against him, even for actions occurring immediately before the Capitol attack. This case marks one of the first times an accused individual has directly invoked Trump’s pardon for January 6-related events as a defense in federal court. Legal experts say the court will carefully consider whether Cole’s alleged conduct falls within the scope of the pardon, noting that it may set a precedent for other cases. Cole’s defense filing also emphasizes his health and personal history. His team argues that he has lived a largely structured life, following strict routines, and disputes the government’s characterization of his behavior. They maintain that his alleged conduct was not separate from the political context of January 6, linking it directly to the Capitol events. The outcome of this motion could have wide implications for other individuals charged with actions surrounding the January 6 attack, especially those claiming eligibility under Trump’s expansive clemency. Courts will need to balance the legal language of the pardon with evidence of premeditated actions, including explosives and attempts to interfere with political offices. Federal prosecutors have not yet publicly responded to Cole’s motion. If the court sides with Cole, it may halt one of the high-profile cases stemming from the Capitol riot investigations.