FBI Makes Breakthrough Arrest in Capitol Pipe Bomb Case

Fri Dec 05 2025 10:58:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant development, the FBI has arrested a suspect in connection with the pipe bombs placed near the Capitol on January 5, 2021, just before the infamous riot. This marks a pivotal moment in a long-standing investigation.

The FBI has arrested a man in connection with the 2021 pipe bomb incident near the U.S. Capitol, a significant breakthrough in a nearly five-year investigation. The suspect was caught on surveillance footage placing the bombs, which could have been deadly but fortunately did not injure anyone. The investigation faced difficulties, igniting numerous conspiracy theories and prompting continuous public inquiries until this recent arrest. The FBI’s renewed efforts and insider tactics seem to have finally led to a suspect.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI made an arrest on Thursday in its nearly five-year investigation into the placement of pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of January 6, 2021, during the Capitol riot, according to law enforcement sources.

This arrest is significant as it is the first time a suspect has been identified in an act that had puzzled authorities and fueled various conspiracy theories, tied to the violent events of January 6.

The suspect is a man, and details regarding the charges are yet to be disclosed by officials who discussed these developments off the record.

Originally placed on January 5, 2021, the bombs were located near the Democratic and Republican national committee offices. Fortunately, nobody was harmed before the devices were safely neutralized, although the FBI later noted that both bombs had the potential to be lethal.

Numerous public appeals for information had aimed to identify the person seen on surveillance cameras. Nevertheless, investigators struggled to gather details about the suspect's gender, motivation, and any connections to the Capitol riot, where supporters of then-President Trump stormed the building less than 24 hours later.

The FBI had previously released new information about the suspect, estimating their height and revealing unreleased video footage of the individual placing the bombs. Despite the overwhelming amount of tips and investigation work done, finding the suspect has been elusive until now.

In prior years, conspiracy theories regarding the bombs circulated, often encouraged by Republican lawmakers who criticized law enforcement's failure to detect the bombs promptly. In recent weeks, calls for stronger investigative action by the FBI hinted that this crucial investigation remains a significant priority.