A federal judge ruled Monday that a sweeping clemency grant from former President Donald Trump, intended for individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, does not apply to the man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters.
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali rejected the defense attorneys' argument that Brian Cole Jr. should be covered by Trump's pardons, which were issued after the Jan. 6 events. The defense contended that Cole's alleged actions were related to Congress convening the next day.
In his order, Judge Ali stated, "Even assuming that the conduct Cole is charged with is 'related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,' the pardon is expressly limited to people who had been 'convicted of offenses' related to those events." Ali noted that Cole had not been convicted of the conduct at issue when Trump issued the pardon and was not charged until months later.
The judge also dismissed an alternative argument that Trump's directive to the Attorney General to "pursue dismissal with prejudice to the government of all pending indictments" required the dismissal of charges against Cole. Ali pointed out that Cole was first charged in December 2025, long after Trump's proclamation was issued.
Cole has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday for a status conference.