The producers ofHamiltonhave announced the cancellation of the musical’s 2026 performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. According to the musical’s producers, the decision is in response to recent changes at the arts institution following President Donald J. Trump‘s takeover of its board of trustees.
Jeffrey Seller, one of the musical’s producers, released a statement explaining the rationale behind the cancellation. “Our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center,” Seller stated. Hamilton, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was initially scheduled to run at the Kennedy Center from March 3 to April 26, 2026. The cancellation occurred before tickets were available for purchase.
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The Kennedy Center has undergone notable changes since President Trump became chairman of its board last month. Richard Grenell was named interim president in one of Trump’s first moves, replacing Deborah Rutter. Subsequently, Grenell moved to fire several Kennedy Center executives whose salaries totaled approximately $2.4 million.
Notably, several celebrities affiliated with the Kennedy Center exited their roles after Trump assumed control. Shonda Rhimes, a key figure in television and former Kennedy Center treasurer, immediately left her position. Performing and recording artist Ben Folds, who served as an artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra, also decided to leave. Additionally, Renee Fleming, an opera singer, exited her role as an artistic advisor at large.
Trump appointed all current board members after removing several appointees from the previous Bidengovernment.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump expressed readiness to back Israeli strikes on Iran if it continues advancing its nuclear and missile programs.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Iranian officials.
📍WHEN & WHERE: December 29, 2025, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we have to knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them.” – Donald J. Trump
🎯IMPACT: The meeting highlights ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the challenges in advancing Trump’s Gaza peace plan.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump said he is prepared to support Israeli military action against Iran if Tehran continues advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we have to knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them.” He added, “But hopefully that’s not happening. I heard Iran wants to make a deal. If they want to make a deal, that’s much smarter.”
The meeting marked the fifth face-to-face encounter between Trump and Netanyahu this year and came amid ongoing regional tensions following a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas brokered by Trump in October. Both Israel and Hamas have since accused each other of violating the agreement, complicating efforts to stabilize Gaza.
Trump also addressed Netanyahu’s legal troubles, suggesting that a pardon related to corruption allegations against the Israeli leader is “on its way” and praising Netanyahu for doing a “phenomenal job.” Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, denied that any discussions about a pardon had taken place, stating there had been no conversation with Trump on the matter.
Talks between the two leaders also covered the next phase of Trump’s Gaza peace initiative, which envisions a technocratic Palestinian administration overseeing reconstruction. Progress has been uneven, with unresolved issues including Hamas’s refusal to fully disarm and uncertainty over who would provide long-term security in Gaza.
Iran remained a central focus of the discussions. Earlier this year, Tehran halted cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), effectively suspending inspections of its nuclear facilities. The move heightened concerns in Washington and Jerusalem about Iran’s nuclear intentions and reduced international oversight of its program.
In August, War Secretary Pete Hegseth removed the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) following the leak of an assessment that questioned the effectiveness of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. More recently, the Trump administration increased deportations of Iranian nationals from the United States, signaling a broader hardening of policy toward Tehran.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russia accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in Novgorod, a claim denied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The alleged drone attack reportedly occurred overnight in Russia’s Novgorod region, with related statements released on Monday.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Given the final degeneration of the criminal Kiev regime, which has switched to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be revised.” – Sergei Lavrov.
🎯IMPACT: Russia has stated it will revise its peace negotiations position, while the alleged attack has drawn reactions from the U.S. and Ukraine.
IN FULL
President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected Russia’s accusation that Ukraine carried out a large-scale drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, calling the allegation “typical Russian lies.” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that 91 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles were used in the alleged strike and that Russian air defense systems intercepted all incoming ordnance. Lavrov said there were no casualties or damage, but accused Kiev of engaging in “state terrorism” and announced that Moscow would revise its position in the ongoing peace negotiations.
“Given the final degeneration of the criminal Kiev regime, which has switched to a policy of state terrorism, Russia’s negotiating position will be revised,” Lavrov said. At the same time, he said Russia did not intend to withdraw from talks with the United States.
Zelensky dismissed the claims as fabricated and warned that Moscow was using them to justify continued aggression. “It is critical that the world doesn’t stay silent now. We cannot allow Russia to undermine the work on achieving a lasting peace,” he stated on X, formerly Twitter.
The accusations came shortly after Zelensky met with U.S. leaders in Florida, where he and President Donald J. Trump discussed a revised peace proposal. Zelensky said the United States had offered security guarantees for Ukraine lasting 15 years, while Trump described progress on the agreement as “close to 95 percent.” Outstanding issues reportedly include territorial disputes and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
The White House confirmed that Trump and Putin held a phone call on Monday. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Putin expressed anger over the alleged drone attack and claimed that Trump was “shocked” and “angry” about the incident. Ushakov added that Putin promised the “strongest response” to what he described as a “reckless terrorist action.” The White House did not comment on those characterizations.
Drone warfare has become an increasingly prominent feature of the conflict. In May 2023, multiple dronesstruck parts of Moscow, with Ukrainian officials at the time declining to take responsibility. More recently, Russia has accused Ukraine of carrying out strikes beyond the battlefield, including attacks on energy and transport targets far from the front lines.
Ukraine has also reported facing drone threats of its own. In December, reports indicated that several drones were detected near the flight path of Zelensky’s aircraft while it was traveling near Ireland, prompting heightened security measures. Other incidents linked to drones have raised international concern, including damage to sensitive infrastructure sites.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: OpenAI is hiring a “head of preparedness” to address the challenges and dangers posed by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including a potential rogue AI.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, is behind the initiative, with the new role offering a salary of $555,000 plus equity.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made recently on X (formerly Twitter).
💬KEY QUOTE: “This will be a stressful job,” said Sam Altman, emphasizing the stakes involved in addressing AI risks.
🎯IMPACT: The role aims to strengthen OpenAI’s safety measures and ensure its AI systems are used responsibly while mitigating potential abuses.
IN FULL
OpenAI announced it is seeking to fill a new position titled “head of preparedness” as part of its efforts to address the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI), including a possible rogue AI. The role was revealed by OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, who acknowledged the “real challenges” posed by the advanced technologies developed by the organization.
“This will be a stressful job,” Altman stated, highlighting the high stakes and complexity involved in managing the potential dangers of AI systems. He also highlighted concerns over AI’s impact on mental health and its potential to expose critical vulnerabilities in computer security systems.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Altman elaborated on the need for a nuanced understanding of AI capabilities. “We are entering a world where we need more nuanced understanding and measurement of how those capabilities could be abused, and how we can limit those downsides both in our products and in the world,” he wrote. He further noted that while there is a strong foundation for measuring AI capabilities, much work remains to address the complexities and edge cases.
The new position will expand OpenAI’s existing safety measures, which the company claims include “increasingly complex safeguards.” According to the job listing, the role will focus on scaling safety standards alongside the development of more advanced AI systems. The job comes with a salary of $555,000 and equity in the company.
In May, The National Pulse reported that OpenAI’s former Chief Scientist, Ilya Sutskever, suggested constructing a bunker to prepare for the potential risks associated with artificial general intelligence (AGI), according to details shared by insiders familiar with the 2023 tumult at the top of the AI company. During a summer 2023 meeting, Sutskever reportedly stated, “We’re definitely going to build a bunker before we release AGI.”
Two other people who attended the meeting corroborated the account, with one describing Sutskever’s AGI beliefs as akin to anticipating a “rapture.”
❓WHAT HAPPENED: The United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) is seeking an injunction against a new Metropolitan Police policy requiring officers to declare Freemasonry membership.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The United Grand Lodge of England, London’s Metropolitan Police force, and the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday, December 29, 2025, United Kingdom.
💬KEY QUOTE: The UGLE claims the policy “breaches human rights and GDPR [General Data Protection Regulation] rules” and “unfairly impugns the integrity of its members.”
🎯IMPACT: UGLE has launched legal proceedings, arguing the policy rollout should be halted during the consultation process.
IN FULL
The Freemasons under the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) have begun legal proceedings against London‘s Metropolitan Police force over a new policy that requires officers and staff to declare whether they are current or former members of Freemasonry or similar organizations. The policy applies to hierarchical groups with secret membership, obliging members to “support and protect” one another.
UGLE argues that the requirement breaches human rights law and data protection rules under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and that the police failed to conduct a proper consultation before introducing the measure. The organization says the policy unfairly implies that Freemasons working in policing lack integrity or professionalism, despite no evidence of wrongdoing by the group as a whole.
The Metropolitan Police introduced the disclosure rule following recommendations from the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel report. The report examined the 1987 murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan and found “recurring suspicion and mistrust” linked to Freemasonry among police officers involved in the case. While the force agreed to consult on the new policy, it has not suspended implementation during the consultation period, prompting UGLE to seek an injunction to pause the rollout while the legal challenge is considered.
The dispute comes amid wider debates in Britain about privacy, transparency, and the reach of the state. Earlier this year, controversy erupted after reports surfaced that British authorities had sought to compel Apple to weaken iCloud’s end-to-end encryption, allowing for greater access to user data. The move drew international criticism, including comments from President Donald J. Trump, who compared Britain’s demand to surveillance practices associated with authoritarian states, saying it resembled what “you hear about with China.”
Later reports indicated that British demands for access to encrypted data held by Apple were defeated following resistance from the Trump administration, which raised concerns about privacy, cross-border data protections, and the security of encrypted communications.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents are conducting a large-scale investigation into alleged childcare and other fraud in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), HSI agents, and Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigations were announced by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday, December 29, 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Homeland Security Investigations are on the ground in Minneapolis right now conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud.” – Kristi Noem
🎯IMPACT: The investigation aims to uncover and address fraudulent practices in childcare facilities within the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas.
IN FULL
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem revealed Monday afternoon that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, are now on the ground in Minnesota as part of a federal investigation into allegations of rampant social services—including daycare centers—fraud and also immigration fraud involving the state’s Somali community. The federal response comes after independent journalist Nick Shirley and others have documented what appears to be rampant fraudulent activity at a number of Minneapolis and St. Paul Somali-run childcare facilities.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, just after 12:00 PM, Noem revealed video of HSI agents questioning a man appearing to be of Somali extraction outside one of the childcare facilities in question. “Homeland Security Investigations are on the ground in Minneapolis right now conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud. More coming,” Noem wrote.
The childcare fraud is believed to be tied to a broader fraud scandal gripping Minnesota, where the state government, led by Governor Tim Walz (D), is alleged by whistleblowers to have purposefully ignored evidence of social services fraud perpetrated by non-profit groups and individuals in the Somali immigrant community out of fear of losing votes and being portrayed as racist. The National Pulse reported earlier this month that federal investigators currently estimate the fraud schemes—executed through state programs meant to assist children with autism, food for the needy, and daycare centers—could top $9 billion in stolen taxpayer money.
Meanwhile, whistleblowers within the Walz government allege that state officials first uncovered evidence of fraud involving the Feeding Our Future nonprofit organization in July 2019. However, Walz‘s administration backed down from investigating the group after intense pushback from Feeding Our Future’s leaders, who accused state officials of discrimination against Minnesota’s large Somali immigrant community.
Homeland Security Investigations @ICEGov are on the ground in Minneapolis right now conducting a massive investigation on childcare and other rampant fraud.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: A U.S. strike targeted a Venezuelan facility involved in drug operations, leading to a major explosion.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. forces.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday afternoon at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, during a joint press availability.
💬KEY QUOTE: “There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs.” – Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: The strike escalates U.S. efforts to combat illegalnarcotics shipments from Venezuela.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump appears to have revealed the first U.S. military strike on the Venezuelan mainland after an explosion rocked a dock facility along the South American country’s coast over the weekend. While it was speculated that the blast was the result of a U.S. strike, the attack had not been fully confirmed until President Trump’s comments at Mar-a-Lago during a press event with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday afternoon.
“There was a major explosion in the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs,” Trump said in response to a question as to whether the U.S. was the cause of the blast. He added that the facility “is no longer around.”
While Trump appeared to confirm a U.S. strike, the exact location or scale of damage—along with casualties—is not currently known. However, a U.S. military strike on any facility on the Venezuelan mainland would mark a significant escalation in the simmering conflict between Venezuela’s narco-regime dictatorNicolás Maduro and the Trump administration.
Previously, the Trump White House had limited U.S. operations in the region to kinetic strikes on cartel drug boats and the seizure of sanctioned oil tankers.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Nearly 400 Illinois state employees improperly obtained federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Illinois state employees across key agencies, including Human Services, Corrections, and Children and Family Services, as well as Cook County and Chicago city employees.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Fraud cases reviewed through June 2025, primarily in Illinois, with broader implications nationwide.
🎯IMPACT: Over $2.8 million in fraudulent loans obtained by state workers, contributing to Illinois’ reputation as one of the most corruption-prone states in the U.S.
IN FULL
Nearly 400 Illinois state employees allegedly attained federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through fraudulent means, according to a state government watchdog. The Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General reported “reasonable cause” in 378 PPP fraud cases involving state workers through June 2025, with the loans designed to assist small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The alleged fraud cases involving state workers account for approximately three-quarters of those reviewed by the Illinois Office of the Executive Inspector General. In response to the findings, over 200 state government employees have either been fired or forced to resign, with a number being referred for criminal prosecution.
According to the report, state workers at major agencies, including Human Services, Corrections, and Children and Family Services, collectively received more than $2.8 million in fraudulent loans, often by submitting fabricated business or income claims. Notably, the Illinois Attorney General’s office has secured guilty pleas in multiple cases, typically resulting in probation, restitution, or community service.
Among the fraud schemes exposed was one in which a Human Services employee fraudulently obtained $49,000 for a nonexistent catering business. In another case, an Illinois state worker claimed she misunderstood the loan as debt consolidation, while another admitted to paying someone to create a fake business application for her.
Additionally, Cook County, Illinois watchdogs have found PPP-fraud cases extending beyond state government workers to county officials as well. An estimated 65 PPP-related cases have resulted in resignations and firings. Meanwhile, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office reports that it has reviewed 163 cases, with 62 violations confirmed to have been committed by employees. The city inspector general for Chicago has uncovered upwards of 1,000 potentially fraudulent loans granted to city staff, with nine cases initiated so far.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and federal inspectors general have recovered over $1.4 billion in stolen pandemic relief funds, resulting in the prosecutions of thousands of suspects. However, it is estimated that tens of billions of taxpayer dollars are yet to be recovered.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner says that President Donald J. Trump’s 50-year mortgage plan remains under consideration.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: HUD Secretary Scott Turner, President Donald Trump, mortgage lenders, and home buyers.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The 50-year mortgage and other ideas that have been circulated through the public are being discussed, are on the table.” – Scott Turner
🎯IMPACT: The proposal aims to ease hurdles to new home buyers and increase affordability.
IN FULL
The Trump administration is continuing to analyze and consider a proposal that would clear the way for 50-year mortgages to become available to home buyers, according to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner. His comments came during a television interview on affordability on Sunday, though Turner was noncommittal on whether the 50-year mortgage would receive final approval.
“The 50-year mortgage and other ideas that have been circulated through the public are being discussed, are on the table,” he said, adding: “But at the end of the day, the President and the other leaders in the administration will discuss what’s the best possible path, secure path, to help the American people to afford a home.”
“It’s very early. I think more research needs to be done on a 50-year mortgage and the other ideas that have been put forth. Because—one thing from a HUD standpoint, from my standpoint, we want to make sure that the housing market is secure. And also for any FHA, Fannie Mae taxpayer-backed mortgages are stable and secure for the American people,” Turner stated.
The proposal, which President Donald J. Trump first floated in early November, has received some pushback. While the Trump White House has argued the goal is to make monthly payments more affordable for Americans, critics say that the extended loan term could lead to financial drawbacks. The National Pulse reported in November that Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, warned that borrowers would struggle to build equity and face a greater risk of default due to limited financial cushioning.
While the United States has not seen the use of 50-year mortgages in any meaningful sense in the past, many countries around the world allow the offering of 50-year and even 100-year mortgages. The United Kingdom permitted lenders to offer 50-year mortgages in August 2022. Both Japan and Switzerland still allow the offering of 100-year mortgages. In fact, the United States is relatively alone in its use of the 30-year mortgage, whereas most countries use the 50-year mortgage instead.
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte contends that the 50-year mortgage could be a “game changer” for Americans struggling to enter the housing market. A recent survey suggests that prospective homebuyers—especially younger generations—are open to a 50-year mortgage.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: India saw a wave of anti-Christian attacks, including arson on homes and churches, over the Christmas period by Hindu extremists.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Indian Christians, Hindu extremists, members of Hindu paramilitaries.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The attacks took place in various Indian states, including Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
💬KEY QUOTE: “In states like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, religious extremists have become increasingly violent, targeting Christians. Churches have been closed, believers attacked, pastors imprisoned on false charges of coercive conversion and Christian families displaced from their homes, simply because of their faith in Christ.” – Priya Sharma, Open Doors.
🎯IMPACT: The attacks are part of a broader wave of anti-Christian violence globally and come as Indians continue to arrive en masse in Western countries via various visa schemes.
IN FULL
Severe violent attacks against Christians were reported across India during the 2025 Christmas season, with arson attacks in Chhattisgarh emerging as the most serious episodes in a broader pattern of intimidation and disruption linked to the festive period.
In Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, a Christian family said that a mob set fire to their home and attacked local churches following a dispute over the burial of a man. Rajman Salam, a convert to Christianity, wanted to cremate his father according to Hindu custom but was denied. “I was told that I can’t have the rituals because of my Christian faith,” he said. He later tried to bury his father according to Christian ritual, which led to conflict with a Hindu mob.
According to survivor accounts, members of the mob destroyed household belongings, burned religious material, and threatened residents, forcing families to flee. The victims claimed Hindutva groups drove the violence and said police response was delayed, leaving them without immediate protection. The incident added to growing concerns about targeted attacks on Christian communities in the state, which has seen repeated clashes linked to burial rights and allegations of religious conversions.
The arson attack came amid a wider spike in anti-Christian incidents reported around Christmas. The Christian charity Open Doors reports that as many as 2,900 anti-Christian attacks took place in India between January and November of 2025 overall.
“In states like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, religious extremists have become increasingly violent, targeting Christians. Churches have been closed, believers attacked, pastors imprisoned on false charges of coercive conversion and Christian families displaced from their homes, simply because of their faith in Christ,” Open Doors partner Priya Sharma said.
In Kerala’s Palakkad district, protests erupted after a children’s Christmas carol group was allegedly attacked. Reports stated that the incident triggered public demonstrations and political reactions after the accused was linked to far-right Hindu paramilitaries and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The attack drew widespread condemnation in the state, which has a large Christian population.
While police action was initiated in some cases, Christian leaders and civil society groups said the incidents reflect a broader climate of hostility and inadequate protection for Christians in India.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Brian Cole Jr., a Virginia man, was arrested and charged with placing pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committees on January 5, 2021.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Brian Cole, federal investigators, and prosecutors.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The pipe bombs were placed on January 5, 2021, outside the RNC and DNC headquarters in Washington, D.C. Cole was arrested on December 4, 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I really don’t like either party at this point,” Cole reportedly told investigators, explaining his actions.
🎯IMPACT: The devices did not detonate, and no one was harmed. Prosecutors argue the incident demonstrates the dangerous nature of Cole’s alleged actions and are asking that he remain detained before trial.
IN FULL
Brian Cole Jr., the Virginia man charged with placing pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committees on January 5, 2021, has told federal investigators that he was not intending to target the joint session of Congress certifying the 2020 presidential election. Instead, Cole—who was arrested on December 4, 2025—said, according to court filings, that his decision to place pipe bombs outside the RNC and DNC was primarily inspired by Irish Republican Army (IRA) attacks during the Troubles period in Northern Ireland.
“When asked why he placed the devices at the RNC and DNC, the defendant responded, ‘I really don’t like either party at this point,'” the court filing by federal prosecutors states, adding: “[Cole] also explained that the idea to use pipe bombs came from his interest in history, specifically the Troubles in Ireland. The defendant denied that his actions were directed toward Congress or related to the proceedings scheduled to take place on January 6.”
“According to the defendant, he was not really thinking about how people would react when the bombs detonated, although he hoped there would be news about it,” prosecutors stated in their filing, noting: “The defendant stated that he had not tested the devices before planting them. He claimed that when he learned that the devices did not detonate, he was ‘pretty relieved,’ and asserted that he placed the devices at night because he did not want to kill people.”
The documents state that Cole Jr. had intended for the pipe bombs to explode after 60 minutes, with timers on each set for that duration. After placing the devices, he told prosecutors that he drove to Virginia, picked up a carry-out meal, and then returned to his parents’ home in Woodbridge.
Prosecutors, in revealing Cole’s confession, are asking a federal judge to order the pipe bomber to remain detained in federal custody ahead of his trial. They contend his choice of the RNC and DNC “demonstrates the extreme and deeply dangerous nature of his conduct,” and that “the defendant did so because he did not ‘like either party,’ but ‘they were in charge’ and thus were, in the defendant’s mind, an appropriate target for extreme acts of violence.”
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