Fox News host Sean Hannity asked FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino about his past comments alleging there was a “massive cover-up” in the case of who planted pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican national committee offices one day before the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Hannity told Bongino, “You said there’s a massive cover-up because the person who planted those pipe bombs, they don’t want you to know who it is because it’s either a connected anti-Trump insider or an inside job. You said that, you know, long before you were even thought of as deputy FBI director.”

Last year, Bongino said on his podcast that there was “a massive cover-up” in the case, which was an “inside job,” The Independent reported. Earlier this year, Bongino told his audience that the FBI knew the identity of the suspect and “just doesn’t want to tell us because it was an inside job,” the outlet reported.

“I was paid in the past, Sean, for my opinions. That’s clear, and one day I’ll be back in that space, but that’s not what I’m paid for now. I’m paid to be your deputy director, and we base investigations on facts,” Bongino told Hannity.

Dan Bongino, FBI deputy director, speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. | AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Why It Matters

On Thursday, the FBI arrested Brian J. Cole Jr, a 30-year-old Woodbridge, Virginia resident who is accused of placing two pipe bombs near the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees on the evening of January 5, 2021. He was charged with multiple explosives offenses.

The case has remained unresolved for nearly five years. The FBI and Justice Department said the arrest was the result of new analysis of already-collected evidence and data.

“Let me be clear: There was no new tip. There was no new witness. Just good, diligent police work and prosecutorial work,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said at a news conference.

What To Know

Bongino said he is “pretty comfortable” with the arrest.

“I think as, again, legal process starts to service and information and facts start to come out, the public’s going to be very comfortable with the investigation that was conducted under Director Patel,” Bongino said.

A criminal complaint filed in the case said Cole “purchased multiple items consistent with the components that were used to manufacture the pipe bombs placed at the RNC and DNC.” These items included galvanized pipes, nine-volt battery connectors and electrical wire, according to the complaint.

The complaint also said that Cole’s cellphone connected with cellphone towers in the area of the RNC and DNC on January 5, 2021.

What People Are Saying

FBI Deputy Director Bongino, in a statement: “This historic arrest shows this FBI delivers on its promises to protect the American people. The pipe bombs could have caused devastating loss of life and injuries, as well as property damage. I want to thank the FBI employees who worked on this over the years, our law enforcement partners who assisted in the investigation, and the American people for the tips they shared with us.”

U.S. Attorney for the District of Colombia Jeanine Ferris Pirro, in a statement: “The well-being of our society rests on our ability as law enforcement to safeguard our citizens. When bad actors intervene to disrupt and threat that peace—to destroy the very fabric of our country—we must, we do, and we will track them down and hold them to account for their crimes to the full extent of the law. FBI and members of my office worked around the clock to methodically piece together the clues that ultimately identified the defendant.”

What Happens Next

The incident remains under investigation by the FBI Washington Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.