"The defendant stated that he does not align politically with his family members and did not tell them that he "was going to a protest in support of [then President] Trump." When the interviewing agents returned to the defendant's motive, he explained that "something just snapped" after "watching everything, just everything getting worse." The defendant wanted to do something "to the parties" because "they were in charge.""
"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 defendant 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."
DOJ submitted a detention memorandum that largely mirrors the arrest affidavit and adds maps and tables documenting Cole’s cellphone movements and purchases. The filing includes a Mirandized, videotaped confession in which Cole said he does not align politically with his family and that "something just snapped" after watching events worsen. Cole said he wanted to act "to the parties" because "they were in charge" and that he did not like either party. He tied the pipe-bomb idea to an interest in the Troubles in Ireland, denied any link to Congress or January 6, and said he learned to make black powder from a video game and used YouTube and Google Maps while preparing the devices.
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