CNN anchor Jake Tapper incorrectly described the race of a man arrested in connection with pipe bombs placed near major political party headquarters in Washington, DC.
During his program Thursday, Tapper identified the suspect as white when the individual is actually black.
Brian Cole Jr., 30, was arrested at his Woodbridge, Virginia home early Thursday morning.
Federal authorities charged him with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and malicious destruction by means of explosion.
“Brian Cole Jr., a 30-year-old white man from the DC suburbs, is charged with transporting an explosive device in interstate commerce and with malicious destruction by means of explosion,” Tapper stated during the opening segment of The Lead.
The falsehood occurred as Tapper discussed the arrest during his show’s introduction.
Social media commentator Benny Johnson responded to the incident on X, writing, “You can’t make this stuff up.”
Other critics voiced stronger reactions to the misidentification.
Nick Sorter accused CNN of promoting “anti-white rhetoric” through the error.
The backlash grew more intense as photographs of Cole appeared in news reports and circulated on various social media platforms.
Federal law enforcement officials took Cole into custody at his residence in the early morning hours.
The charges against the 30-year-old suspect include the use of an explosive device and attempted malicious destruction by means of explosive materials.
Authorities allege Cole planted pipe bombs outside both the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters on January 5, 2021.
The placement occurred the night before Congress convened to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The investigation remained open for several years without resolution. US Attorney Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the media Thursday, stating that crucial evidence had been “collecting dust” during the Biden administration.
The criminal complaint reveals investigators believe Cole started gathering bomb components in 2019.
According to the filing, he purchased materials from large retailers, including major hardware stores and Walmart.
The explosive devices are described as rudimentary in construction, fashioned from 8-inch galvanized pipes.
The complaint indicates Cole allegedly continued buying bomb-making materials after the purported January 2021 incidents in the nation’s capital.
Cole Jr. held employment at a bail bond company operated by his father, the Daily Wire reported.
The business specialized in securing releases for immigrants detained in ICE facilities.
StateWide, one of the companies connected to Brian Cole Sr., previously filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security.
The legal action concerned the treatment of immigrants held in detention facilities.
Brian Cole Sr. participated in a 2021 press conference with attorney Ben Crump.
During the event, he requested a federal investigation into Tennessee prosecutor John Zimmerman over allegations of discrimination against a minority-owned business.
Zimmerman had previously expressed concerns about the bail bond company’s business practices.
He referenced disciplinary measures taken against the company in a neighboring district.
A Tennessee appeals court issued a ruling in April 2025 that upheld sanctions against the company.
The court decision cited misconduct, including alleged false statements by Cole Sr. regarding bankruptcy filings and financial matters.
