FBI Nears Breakthrough in 2021 D.C. Pipe Bomb Investigation, Deputy Director Says

Washington, D.C. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation is reportedly closing in on suspects in the unsolved case of pipe bombs planted outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters on January 5, 2021, the eve of the Capitol riot. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced the progress during an appearance on Fox News’ Fox & Friends on Thursday, emphasizing that the investigation remains a top priority for the bureau.

“I want answers on this, and I’m pretty confident that we’re closing in on some suspects,” Bongino told Fox & Friends hosts, noting that he has assembled a dedicated team to pursue leads in the case. The pipe bombs, described as viable explosive devices, were discovered on January 6, 2021, hours before a mob of then-President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. The devices, placed between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. the previous evening, did not detonate but posed a significant threat, particularly as then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC headquarters at the time, and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi passed near one of the bombs.

The FBI has intensified its efforts in recent months, releasing new video footage in January 2025 showing a hooded suspect planting a bomb outside the DNC. The individual, estimated to be approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, was seen wearing a grey hoodie, a face mask, black gloves, and distinctive Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow logo. The bureau has conducted over 1,000 interviews, reviewed 39,000 video files, and assessed more than 600 tips, but the suspect’s identity remains unknown. A $500,000 reward is still offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Bongino, who assumed the role of deputy director in early 2025 alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, criticized what he described as a lack of attention to the case during the Biden administration. “We were told by partisan actors out there, this was the insurrection, the world was [going to] fall apart, and no one seemed to show any interest in this case,” he said on Fox & Friends. He highlighted the role of public tips, particularly through social media, in generating fresh leads.

The renewed focus on the pipe bomb case coincides with the FBI’s reexamination of other high-profile investigations from the Biden era, including the 2022 leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion and the 2023 discovery of cocaine at the White House. Bongino announced on social media earlier this week that he and Patel have allocated additional resources to these cases, citing “potential public corruption” as a motivating factor. “I receive requested briefings on these cases weekly and we are making progress,” he wrote in a post on X.

However, Bongino’s leadership has drawn scrutiny due to his past promotion of conspiracy theories, including claims that the pipe bomb incident was an “inside job” orchestrated to frame Trump supporters. In a January 2025 podcast, Bongino suggested the FBI knew the suspect’s identity but withheld it due to political motives, a claim he has not substantiated since taking office. Critics, including Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats, have questioned his impartiality, citing such statements as evidence of potential bias.

Despite these concerns, former FBI supervisory special agent James A. Gagliano defended the bureau’s approach, noting that revisiting unresolved cases is standard practice. “The FBI can walk and chew gum at the same time,” Gagliano told The Washington Post. “Just because resources shift does not mean other threats will go unaddressed.”

The pipe bomb investigation remains a complex challenge, with no clear link established between the devices and the January 6 Capitol riot. The FBI continues to seek public assistance, urging anyone with information to contact the bureau. As Bongino and Patel steer the agency under the Trump administration, the outcome of this high-stakes case could shape perceptions of the FBI’s credibility and independence.

17GEN4.com

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