US authorities arrest suspect for planting pipe bombs ahead of January 6 riots

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the pipe bomb incident that occurred on the eve of the 2021 Capitol riot. The bombs were placed on the night of January 5, 2021, and were discovered as rioters began to storm the Capitol the following day.

US authorities have arrested Brian Cole, a suspect in the case of pipe bombs planted outside the headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties in Washington DC on January 5, 2021, the night before the Capitol attack. The Department of Justice announced the charges on December 4, 2025, highlighting the ongoing investigations into the events surrounding January 6.

Iran has decided to attend the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C., reversing its earlier decision to boycott the event due to visa denials for three of its football federation members. The Iranian Football Federation had expressed frustration over the U.S. visa restrictions, which initially led to the boycott announcement.

The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, claiming that new restrictions imposed by the Trump administration on press access and reporting violate press freedoms and chill independent journalism. The lawsuit highlights concerns over limited access to vital national security information for journalists covering the military.

Immigration groups and lawmakers are criticizing President Donald Trump's decision to halt immigration applications from 19 countries already under U.S. travel restrictions, following a shooting incident that injured two National Guard members. This policy memo from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services includes an immediate hold on asylum applications from all nationalities, raising concerns about the implications for those seeking refuge in the U.S.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced criticism after stating he did not remain to observe a second military strike on a vessel suspected of drug trafficking, which has drawn ire from Democrats who labeled him 'spineless.' Hegseth's comments come amid ongoing scrutiny of military operations linked to alleged drug trafficking in the Caribbean, particularly concerning actions taken against boats associated with Venezuela.

Donald Trump announced the termination of all documents signed by Joe Biden, including pardons, claiming they were invalid due to Biden's use of an autopen, a device that replicates signatures. This move reflects Trump's ongoing efforts to challenge Biden's legitimacy and policies.

The Pentagon announced that all 2,375 National Guard soldiers deployed in Washington, D.C. are now armed with live weapons, marking a significant change in the rules of engagement for domestic military deployments. This decision comes amid heightened security concerns following a recent shooting incident involving National Guard members near the White House.