Staff ReportsDiscovered on the night of January 5, 2021, two pipe bombs were planted outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., just blocks from the Capitol. Surveillance footage released by the FBI shows an unidentified individual placing the devices—homemade bombs consisting of threaded pipes, kitchen timers, and black powder—before walking away. The bombs were found the following afternoon as the U.S. Capitol was under siege by rioters. Notably, Vice President Kamala Harris was inside the DNC building when one device was discovered and evacuated shortly thereafter.
Despite exhaustive investigations involving thousands of videos and interviews, the perpetrator remains unidentified. The devices were deemed viable and capable of causing serious harm; bomb-sniffing dogs had passed near the sites multiple times earlier without detecting them. The bombs had been placed several hours before discovery, raising questions about security lapses that allowed such dangerous devices to lay in plain sight throughout the day.
Speculation and alternative theories have emerged, including suggestions that Capitol Police officers may be connected due to similarities in movements with individuals caught on security footage. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated, and the lack of released video evidence fuels controversy and conspiracy theories. The absence of transparency only deepens public distrust about the full truth behind these bombings and the broader events of January 6.
The media and investigative journalists have pressed for greater accountability, emphasizing that these explosive devices were a major security threat overshadowed by the riot narrative. The silence and limited official disclosures about the pipe bombs contrast sharply with the high-profile coverage surrounding the Capitol breach, prompting concerns about political motivations influencing the investigation and public perception.
This unresolved chapter in January 6 history underscores the complexity and politicization of the day’s events. While social media platforms like TikTok amplify both facts and theories, the need for clear, honest disclosure remains critical to ensuring informed public discourse. Without it, serious national security threats risk being dismissed or distorted amid partisan battles and fleeting online trends.
