The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is making significant progress in solving the case of the 2021 pipe bombs that were placed outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the January 6th Capitol riots. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has stated that the bureau is ‘closing in’ on suspects in the matter, which has been a top priority for the agency.
In recent months, the FBI has released new video footage capturing the suspect placing the explosive devices outside both the DNC and RNC offices. This footage, along with additional details about the suspect’s physical description, has provided crucial insights into the investigation. The bureau has followed numerous leads, interviewed over 1,000 individuals, and reviewed thousands of video files in their pursuit of the truth. Bongino has urged the public to remain engaged, particularly through social media, as tips can prove vital in resolving the case.
Although the 2021 pipe bomb incident did not result in injuries, authorities have emphasized the potential lethality of the devices. Then Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC’s offices when the bomb was discovered. Then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also passed by the bomb before it was safely removed by authorities. The FBI is offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.
Bongino has also criticized what he described as a lack of attention to the case during the Biden administration, despite the broader focus on the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, for which over 1,000 people were arrested and convicted. He and FBI Director Kash Patel have made the pipe bomb investigation a priority for their department. Every time Bongino puts out a tweet, he receives tips, including one that proved ‘fascinating,’ though he has not disclosed which case it relates to. Bongino has mentioned three high-profile cases: the 2021 pipe bombs, the 2022 leak of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision on abortion, and the cocaine discovered in the White House in 2023.
Bongino’s comments come amid a broader context of FBI scrutiny, with reports highlighting several of the bureau’s scandals under the Biden administration. These include the handling of the Jan. 6 case, the Dobbs decision leak, and the white house cocaine investigation. Bongino’s emphasis on closing the case is part of a larger effort to restore public trust in the FBI and ensure that the investigation is prioritized with the necessary resources and attention.