News/Commentary

Three years later, FBI still in the dark about Jan. 6 pipe bombs

January 7, 2024 | | Print Article

On Saturday, the nation marked the third anniversary of the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and regardless of whether you view them as an “insurrection” or “entrapment,” one mystery has yet to be solved.

Someone placed two pipe bombs outside of the Republican and Democratic national committees’ offices, and we still don’t know who did it.

On Thursday, two days before the J6 anniversary, the FBI issued a press release from their Washington Field Office, reminding the public that “A $500,000 reward remains in effect for information leading to the individual’s arrest and conviction.”

“The [FBI] and our partners continue to ask you to help us identify the person who placed pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021,” the bureau stated on X. “If you recognize the suspect, submit a tip,” it added along with a link to the proper website.

According to David Sundberg, assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, the “dedicated” FBI agents have put in “thousands of hours” on the case.

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“Over the past three years, a dedicated team of FBI agents, analysts, data scientists, and law enforcement partners has worked thousands of hours conducting interviews, reviewing physical and digital evidence, and assessing tips from the public about who may have placed pipe bombs on Capitol Hill,” he said in a statement. “The tips we have received so far from the American people have helped us advance the investigation, and we ask the public to continue to assist us by taking a fresh look at our Seeking Information webpage, which includes images and video of the suspect, the suspect’s backpack, the suspect’s shoes, the explosive devices, and a map of the route the suspect walked the night the pipe bombs were placed.”

(Video: YouTube)

“We urge anyone who may have previously hesitated to come forward or who may not have realized they had important information to contact us and share anything relevant,” Sundberg said. “A reward of up to $500,000 is still available for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for this dangerous attempt to harm our community.”

A number of alphabet agencies are involved in the investigation, according to the FBI, including the “FBI Washington Field Office; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Washington Field Division; the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD); and the U.S. Capitol Police Department (USCP).”

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“Three years into the investigation, identifying the perpetrator of this attempted attack remains a priority for the FBI, ATF, MPD, and the USCP,” the Washington Field Office promised. “The suspect placed pipe bombs in a Capitol Hill neighborhood near the Republican National Committee Headquarters, located at 310 First St. SE, and the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, located at 430 South Capitol St. SE, #3, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, between approximately 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.—the night before the riots at the U.S. Capitol.”

“Although these bombs did not detonate, it is important to remember the suspect walked along residential and commercial areas in Capitol Hill just blocks from the U.S. Capitol with viable pipe bombs that could have seriously injured or killed innocent bystanders,” the release states. “Moreover, the suspect may still pose a danger to the public or themselves.”

On X, the update and the half-million-dollar reward were met with well-earned scorn.

“Is this some kind of money laundering scheme where you reward yourself for your actions?” asked the popular Libs of TikTok account.

“Not sure what’s more pathetic: You still pretending the ‘pipe bomber’ is real. OR You not being able to find the person if it was in fact real,” wrote another user.

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“Have you tried asking around the office?” suggested a third.

“Can’t make this s**t up. You’re offering us a reward using our own tax dollars that your cousin, the IRS, jacked from us for information that leads directly back to you, [FBI Washington Field Office],” one user noted. “Unfreakingbelievable!!!”

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Melissa Fine
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