A Virginia man has been arrested in connection with the placement of two pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committees' headquarters on January 5, 2021, the night before the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Sources indicate that the suspect is expected to face charges for allegedly planting the devices, which were later confirmed to be viable explosives capable of causing serious injury or death. This arrest marks a significant development in a high-profile federal investigation that has spanned nearly five years.

The pipe bombs were discovered on January 6, 2021, approximately 16 hours after they were placed. Surveillance footage captured the suspect wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, a mask, and distinctive Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers with a yellow logo. Investigators noted that the suspect exhibited a severe gait, which was evident in the security camera recordings.

The discovery of the bombs prompted a swift law enforcement response just minutes before supporters of then-President Donald Trump began breaching barricades outside the Capitol, where lawmakers were certifying Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. For years, the investigation faced challenges due to the lack of distinctive identifying features of the suspect, leading to numerous public appeals for tips.

Despite an extensive investigation that included over 1,000 interviews, a review of more than 39,000 video files, and more than 600 public tips, the FBI was unable to definitively determine the suspect's gender. The bureau even offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to the suspect's identification and arrest.

The absence of clear answers fueled conspiracy theories regarding the suspect's political motivations and potential foreknowledge of the Capitol attack. Dan Bongino, a prominent figure in conservative media, suggested in November 2024 that there was a cover-up regarding the identity of the bomber, claiming, "There is a massive cover-up, because the person who planted those pipe bombs -- they don't want you to know who it was, because it's either a connected anti-Trump insider, or this was an inside job."

Reports indicate that the pipe bomb placed at the DNC was alarmingly close to then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. According to a report from the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general, Harris was in an armored vehicle within 20 feet of the bomb for approximately one hour and 40 minutes before it was discovered and she was evacuated.

A recent House committee report shed light on the FBI's investigation into the pipe bombs, revealing multiple failures by law enforcement in detecting the devices and securing the scenes after their discovery. This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.