FBI Director Kash Patel Reveals NEW Details of Pipe Bomber Arrest, and Ongoing Mysteries, with John Solomon and Jim Fitzgerald | Ep. 1207

Summary of FBI Director Kash Patel Reveals NEW Details of Pipe Bomber Arrest, and Ongoing Mysteries, with John Solomon and Jim Fitzgerald | Ep. 1207

by SiriusXM

1h 41m•December 5, 2025
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Overview of "FBI Director Kash Patel Reveals NEW Details of Pipe Bomber Arrest, and Ongoing Mysteries" (The Megyn Kelly Show — Ep. 1207)

This episode covers the arrest of the alleged D.C. pipe bomber, Brian Cole Jr., with an in-depth interview of FBI Director Kash Patel and commentary from John Solomon (Just the News) and retired FBI profiler James R. Fitzgerald. The program summarizes how the suspect was identified and arrested, the evidence the FBI used, remaining unanswered questions about motive and timeline, and related high-profile investigations (including the Charlie Kirk killing and the Butler rally shooter).

Key takeaways

  • Suspect and charges

    • Brian Cole Jr., 30, of Woodbridge, VA, is charged with transporting an explosive device across state lines with intent to kill or harm and attempted malicious destruction using explosives. He faces up to 30 years.
    • He was arrested under the Trump administration’s current FBI leadership; detained pretrial (detention hearing set for Dec 15).

  • Cooperation and statements

    • Multiple outlets report Cole is cooperating and “told FBI investigators he believed conspiracy theories about the 2020 election” and has made statements implicating himself in the pipe-bomb placements. Kash Patel confirmed the suspect is speaking to the FBI but declined to discuss interview substance.

  • Evidence and investigative work

    • The current FBI reviewed ~3 million lines of prior evidence (cell data, tower dumps, CCTV, etc.), used cell-phone analysis (CAST), license-plate readers, credit-card and store surveillance, social media subpoenas, and shoe/sneaker tracking.
    • Purchases tied to Cole (pipes, end caps, wires, timers, 9V batteries) span from Oct 2019 through Jan 2021 — and reportedly some purchases even after the bombs were found.
    • Lab/forensic analysis indicates devices had explosive “load” and were broadly built like real IEDs; they did not detonate — there were “imperfections” that kept them from exploding.
    • Additional bomb-making materials were reportedly found in his residence when arrested; bomb squad/specialists were used during searches.

  • Investigation posture & criticism of prior FBI

    • Kash Patel says current FBI assembled a national subject-matter team, executed new warrants, and conducted extensive shoe-leather work that produced the identification/arrest. He criticized prior leadership for not following through (saying it was either incompetence or intentional).
    • Patel emphasizes adherence to constitutional protections during interviews and legal process.

Timeline & evidence (concise)

  • Purchases of bomb components: documented dates include Oct 22, 2019; March 10, 2020; June 20, 2020; July 8, 2020; Nov 16, 2020 — continuing into Jan 2021.
  • Bombs were planted Jan 5, 2021 (night before Jan 6 Capitol events). Devices were found Jan 6 and did not detonate.
  • Investigation steps described by Kash Patel:
    • Re-reviewed existing evidence (cell-tower dumps, CAST analysis).
    • Narrowed suspects using cross-correlation (phone pings, plate readers, purchase histories, CCTV).
    • Served subpoenas/search warrants on social media, credit card records, stores; executed searches of residence and workplace with bomb techs and evidence teams.
    • Monitored suspect surreptitiously in the weeks prior to arrest.

Suspect profile & motive (what we know and unknowns)

  • Known/observed traits:

    • Described by interviewees and some family members as reclusive, socially isolated; some have suggested traits consistent with being “on the spectrum.”
    • Worked at a bail bonds company owned by his father (media reporting indicates father/firm had prior legal scrutiny and litigation).

  • Motive:

    • Not yet established publicly. FBI will defer motive disclosures to prosecutors. Multiple sources reported he told investigators he believed the 2020 election was stolen — Kash Patel declined to verify that claim on-air.
    • Experts caution early statements often shift as behavioral analysis and full case context emerge. Purchases beginning in 2019 complicate a simple political-motive narrative tied only to the 2020 election.

What the FBI said (high-level quotes/points)

  • Kash Patel:
    • The suspect “is cooperating” and has been interviewed; investigators “can’t divulge the substance” because prosecutors will determine use in court.
    • The FBI reviewed roughly three million lines of evidence and assembled a national team to reanalyze existing data.
    • Search of suspect’s home required bomb technicians and took extensive time; additional bomb-making materials were seized.
    • On prior FBI conduct: implied earlier leadership deprioritized or intentionally didn’t fully pursue the case.

Expert analysis (John Solomon & Jim Fitzgerald)

  • John Solomon:

    • Confirms he heard from FBI contacts that the suspect made statements about believing the election was stolen and implicated himself; emphasizes need for more time to understand motive.
    • Notes inconsistencies and anomalies (purchase timeline starting mid‑2019; questions about timers and whether they were reset).

  • Jim Fitzgerald (retired FBI profiler):

    • Points to characteristics seen with some bombers: pride in workmanship, possible thrill-seeking or “bomber without a cause.”
    • Emphasizes the devices were not highly sophisticated and that motive could range from political to psychological (isolation, gaming, seeking a “mark” or notoriety).
    • Recommends caution about early attributions (ideology vs. personal pathology).

Open questions & unresolved mysteries highlighted in the show

  • Motive: political (e.g., belief in stolen election) vs. non-political (thrill-seeking, personal pathology)?
  • Why did purchases begin in Oct 2019 — well before the 2020 election controversies and George Floyd protests?
  • Did the devices intentionally contain flaws, or were the flaws accidental (i.e., why did they not detonate)?
  • Was the one-hour kitchen timer mechanism altered or reset (some witness statements about timers inconsistent with planting time)?
  • Did the previous FBI investigation miss leads due to incompetence, prioritization, or other reasons?
  • Any co-conspirators, handlers, or online contacts who aided or encouraged him?
  • Are there other plots or devices tied to this suspect?

Related cases discussed briefly

  • Charlie Kirk assassination (Utah): Kash Patel and guests discussed Tyler Robinson (arrested suspect). FBI supporting Utah authorities; FBI believes Robinson is the shooter and is working with prosecutors. Investigation is ongoing.
  • Butler rally shooter (Thomas Crooks): Kash declined to discuss specifics; FBI publicly stated it found no credible foreign-government involvement and has addressed various online-connection theories publicly.
  • Broader theme: the panel discussed a perceived pattern of young, isolated males (various demographics) committing violent acts — potential societal issues (isolation, gaming, substance use, mental-health access).

Legal / procedural next steps (what to expect)

  • Arraignment: court appearances to outline charges (some material may be revealed by prosecutors).
  • Detention hearing scheduled (transcript reported detention hearing Dec 15).
  • DOJ/prosecutors will decide timing and extent of public disclosure about suspect interviews, motive, and evidence used.
  • Further search warrants, grand juries, and witness interviews are expected as investigation continues.

What listeners/readers should take away (recommendations)

  • Official facts will continue to evolve; rely on DOJ/FBI filings and court records for definitive evidence and charges.
  • Early media reports and anonymous sources may be incomplete or change as more evidence is processed.
  • Behavioral and motive conclusions are complex; investigators (including the FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit) will take weeks to form a fuller picture.
  • Avoid sharing or amplifying unverified social-media claims about motive or affiliations until they are corroborated.

Notable quotes from the episode

  • Kash Patel: “We went through three million lines of evidence…we found leads that we went with our great prosecutors…and ultimately we were able to produce what he bought, where he bought it, when he bought it.”
  • Kash Patel on the devices: “This individual had the capability and mindset to make bombs that actually worked.”
  • Jim Fitzgerald: “The motivation behind this guy is still unknown…he may be someone of a bomber without a cause.”
  • John Solomon: “Early utterances aren’t always the final outcome…he made a lot of statements. Some of them are contradictory.”

Summary prepared to give a clear, concise picture of what the episode covered regarding the arrest, investigative methods, remaining mysteries, expert interpretation, and the immediate next steps in the legal process.