WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report from the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Oversight has revealed alarming details about the investigation into the January 6 pipe bomber. According to the findings, the FBI ceased active efforts to locate the suspect in 2021, withheld evidence, and failed to cooperate with Congressional investigators.
The pipe bombs were discovered near the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters on January 5, 2021, just hours before the Capitol riots. Despite the severe threat posed by the bombs, federal law enforcement has made little progress in identifying the perpetrator nearly four years later, sparking criticism and speculation about the investigation’s integrity.
Whistleblower Revelations
Former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino, citing a whistleblower, claimed that after the bombs were discovered, law enforcement agents were briefed with a photo of a suspect wearing a hoodie. However, just two days later, those involved were allegedly told to “stand down” without explanation.
“Two days later… they were told to stop looking for the guy,” Bongino stated. This allegation contradicts public statements made by FBI Director Christopher Wray, who previously emphasized the agency’s commitment to solving the case.
Conflicting Information on Evidence
The report highlights conflicting accounts about critical evidence, including cellular data. A former senior FBI official testified that the agency received “corrupted” cell data from major carriers, potentially containing the suspect’s identity. However, the carriers refuted this, stating the data was intact and that the FBI never raised issues about its accessibility.
“Nearly four years later, federal law enforcement has yet to identify the individual responsible for planting the pipe bombs,” the report states. “Despite significant investigative steps early on, federal law enforcement has refused to provide substantive updates to Congress.”
Video Footage Raises Questions
Video footage released earlier this year has added to the controversy. One clip shows a police officer carrying a bag toward the location of the DNC pipe bomb just 15 minutes before it was “discovered.” Critics have questioned whether the bomb was planted that day, rather than the evening before as initially reported.
Adding to the skepticism, bomb-sniffing dogs and Secret Service agents reportedly failed to detect the explosive during earlier sweeps, including one conducted shortly before then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris arrived at the DNC headquarters.
Darren Beattie of Revolver News, who has closely analyzed the footage, suggested the bombs may have been planted to coincide with the Capitol breach. “It explains why no one, including the Secret Service, was able to ‘find’ the bomb earlier,” Beattie said.
FBI’s Withholding of Footage
Criticism has also been directed at the FBI for withholding surveillance footage of the suspect allegedly planting the bombs. House investigators argue this footage is critical to resolving unanswered questions about the timeline and actions of the suspect.
Julie Kelly, a journalist and analyst of January 6 footage, claimed, “The overwhelming likelihood is that the FBI’s surveillance footage is incomplete or manipulated, raising further doubts about the timeline of events.”
Public and Political Reactions
The findings have fueled widespread concern about the FBI’s handling of the case. Representative Barry Loudermilk, who released the report, said, “The American people deserve transparency. This investigation raises more questions than it answers.”
Public trust in federal law enforcement has already been strained by broader controversies surrounding January 6 investigations. These revelations are likely to intensify scrutiny of the FBI and other agencies involved.
Next Steps
The Subcommittee on Oversight has called for greater transparency from the FBI, including the release of all relevant surveillance footage and evidence related to the pipe bombs. Meanwhile, whistleblower accounts and conflicting evidence will likely form the basis of further Congressional hearings.
As the fourth anniversary of January 6 approaches, the question remains: Will the FBI and federal law enforcement provide the answers Americans are seeking, or will the mystery surrounding the pipe bomber persist?
