Did Trump inadvertently pardon the J6 pipe bomber?

CNN reports Brian Cole Jr., the suspect arrested in the nearly five-year investigation into who planted two viable pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol on the eve of the January 6, 2021 attack, was a supporter of President Donald Trump and a believer in his election conspiracy theories. And now, some critics are wondering whether his involvement in activities related to the insurrection grant him a pardon.

On January 20, 2025, the first day of his second term, Trump issued a sweeping clemency proclamation that effectively pardoned nearly all of the approximately 1,600 people charged or convicted for offenses related to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

"If the pipe bomber intended to aid and abet the planned Capitol riot the next day by diverting law enforcement resources and causing chaos, are his crimes 'related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021' such that he has been pardoned?" muses X user Patterico.

The Bulwark's Tim Miller perked up, sharing Patterico's post, saying, "great [question]."

"I'd be pretty surprised if he did not at least try to make this argument. After all, those pardoned were not all convicted based on their actions on January 6 at the Capitol. Many were convicted based in part on their planning, before that day, in other locations," Patterico theorized.

Patterico also says Cole may be thinking along a similar line.

"I bet he wishes he could prove he was part of a plot to aid the riots, rather than acting alone. If he could prove that, I think he'd be home free. Maybe he can! We have no idea at this point," he writes.

Others likewise wondered about Cole's pardon status.

Journalist Kyle Clark wonders the same, posting, "Does this make him J6 pardon eligible? Legit question."

Marketing executive Tim Hannon ponders, "I guess the J6 pipe bomber was arrested so Trump could pardon him and call him a hero?"

Investigative journalist Jacqueline Sweet posits, "This honestly puts Kash's FBI in a hilarious position, especially if the J6 pardon extends to Cole. One of the funniest own goals ever, with Kash on TV last night claiming Biden's DOJ deliberately didn't find this guy. Will they prosecute him only to be pardoned [because] he confessed his love for Trump?"

Retired Marine Paul Nun speculates on X that "Trump granted pardons to over 1,500 terrorists involved in the January 6 Capitol attack, many of whom violently assaulted police officers. I have a feeling that the Black man accused of planting the pipe bomb might be the only January 6 terrorist to face prison time."

Constitutional law professor Anthony Kreis says probably not, posting on X, "The J6 pardons were only for convictions and already secured indictments, so he doesn’t get the benefit of that."