• Brian Cole remains in custody accused of planting pipe bombs on January 6, 2021.
• The bombs were placed outside Democratic and Republican headquarters.
• He has confessed to the act, hoping to spark media attention.
• Cole faces severe penalties if convicted, including a maximum of 20 years in prison.
• Judge determined he poses a significant risk to public safety.

A federal judge has ruled that Brian Cole, the man accused of planting pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican party headquarters on the eve of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, will remain in custody as his case progresses. U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh concluded that there are no conditions under which Cole could be released that would adequately protect the public from what he referred to as a "danger that Cole allegedly poses," according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

Cole, 30, allegedly confessed to planting the explosives prior to the January 6 riot, stating that he hoped they would detonate and would "create news." He expressed dissatisfaction with both political parties, claiming that he believed the 2020 election had been "tampered with." In light of these motivations, Judge Sharbaugh noted that the consequences of a successful bombing could have led to significant loss of life and destruction, making Cole a serious threat to public safety, reports Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.

If found guilty, Cole faces up to 10 years for one charge and up to 20 years for another charge, which carries a five-year mandatory minimum sentence. Cole’s defense argued for release on home detention, citing his clean record and mental health conditions. They claimed he doesn't pose a danger, but Cole's purchase of bomb-making components post-riot raises significant concerns about his potential for recurrence of such behavior, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.