Who is the Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect? And, lawmakers see video of deadly boat strike

"Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny on two fronts yesterday. While lawmakers viewed video of the deadly September strikes on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, he was separately faulted for using Signal to discuss a U.S. attack on Yemen. In a closed-door meeting, lawmakers addressed questions about the second round of strikes on the alleged drug boat, which killed two survivors. Navy Adm. Frank M. Bradley, who oversaw the operation with the alleged drug boat, defended the second strike to lawmakers yesterday, NPR's Tom Bowman tells Up First. He justified the action, saying that the survivors were actively talking with comrades by radio and attempting to salvage drugs from the nearly destroyed boat, which led to the order for a second round of strikes. While Republicans continue to support the attacks on the alleged drug boats, Democrats are demanding the release of the full video to the public and holding Hegseth ultimately responsible."

"The FBI said yesterday that it arrested a man who it believes is responsible for placing pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol complex on Jan. 6, 2021. The man suspected of planting the devices is 30-year-old Brian J. Cole Jr., who was arrested in Woodbridge, Va. He is being charged with transportation of an explosive device via interstate commerce and attempted malicious destruction by means of an explosive device, according to an arrest warrant filed in his case. The FBI affidavit shows financial evidence that Cole bought items that were consistent with the ones used to build the pipe bombs that authorities found, according to NPR's Ryan Lucas. Cellphone location data showed that, on the night the bombs were placed, the suspect's phone was pinging cell towers in the area where the pipe bombs were left."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced scrutiny over a deadly September naval operation in the Caribbean and for using Signal to discuss a U.S. attack on Yemen. Lawmakers reviewed video and questioned the second round of strikes that killed two survivors. Navy Adm. Frank M. Bradley defended ordering the second strike, saying survivors were communicating by radio and attempting to salvage drugs, which prompted the follow-up attack. Republicans largely supported the actions, while Democrats demanded release of the full video and held Hegseth responsible. Separately, the FBI arrested 30-year-old Brian J. Cole Jr. on charges tied to pipe bombs placed near the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, citing financial purchases and cellphone location data linked to the scene.

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