Kibbe on Liberty Ep 378 | Is Brian Cole a Patsy?

Host: Matt Kibbe (A)
Guest: Steve Baker (C), investigative journalist
Date: March 25, 2026
Main Theme:
An in-depth, skeptical examination of the federal government’s case against Brian Cole, the alleged January 6th pipe bomber, with a particular focus on inconsistencies in the official narrative, the possibility that Cole is an innocent patsy, and the broader implications for justice and government transparency.

Episode Overview

Matt Kibbe hosts investigative reporter Steve Baker to discuss the arrest and prosecution of Brian Cole—charged as the January 6th pipe bomber. They review significant holes in the government’s case, explore Cole’s personal profile and unique vulnerabilities, discuss the whistleblowers who question the official story, and consider broader concerns about federal law enforcement’s use of “patsies.” The episode is loaded with insights, granular investigation details, and a palpable skepticism about the integrity of the justice system.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Arrest and Profile of Brian Cole

• Recent Arrest and Timing:
  • Cole was arrested shortly before November 2025 ([01:53]).
• Who is Brian Cole?
  • “He's now 30. He would have been 25 January 6th. He is a highly functional autistic individual. Very, very severe OCD...” (Steve Baker, [03:58]).
  • Baker canvassed Cole’s neighborhood, uncovering years of habitual, quiet behavior—like visiting a 7-Eleven almost daily for 13 years, barely speaking to anyone ([04:10]).
  • Store owner:
    • “In 13 years, Brian Cole may have only ever said a total of three words to me in 13 years... when I saw who it was that was arrested in the news, I just looked at it and said, no effing way. There's no way that that's him.” ([05:10])
• FBI Whistleblower:
  • A new high-ranking, active FBI whistleblower was motivated to come forward by the “fantastical” story and arrest.
  • “He believes that the FBI went to its quote unquote, patsy file…” (Steve Baker, [03:30])

Critical Inconsistencies in the Government’s Narrative

• Evasion from Law Enforcement:
  • Kibbe: “Somehow this young man is such a mastermind... that he evaded, avoided the FBI for five years. How does that guy that you just described pull that off?" ([06:19])
  • Baker: “Well, he doesn't.” ([06:34])
• Alleged Route and Surveillance:
  • The government’s timeline contradicts itself; Cole supposedly used Google Maps to plant the bombs, but CCTV blind spots he utilized are not on Google Maps ([06:40]).
  • “We've been able to find Brian Cole's car. And the car is moving in a location that is over a mile away from where the hoodied bomber is walking at the same time.” (Baker, [08:44])
• Motive & Evidence Acquisition:
  • Allegedly angry about the 2020 election, Cole started buying bomb components in 2018. “The dates go all the way back to 2018. Okay, so there was no issues about a controversial election in 2018.” ([10:04])
  • FBI claims he voted for Trump, but records show an exclusively Democratic family ([10:40]).
  • Many of the components were actually purchased after January 6 ([11:11]).

The Confession & Forensic Oddities

• Confession under Duress:
  • Cole, autistic, confessed after over two hours of FBI interrogation, 20-minute break, “with no lawyer present,” and with his head on the desk ([11:54]).
  • Baker: “They Mirandized high functioning autistic person... never seen without his headphones, basically... that's his whoopee.” ([12:02])
• Behavioral Evidence:
  • Cole’s peculiar behaviors, like a need for headphones or a special pouch, and highly routinized habits, are observed across police cam footage ([12:45]).
• Physical Discrepancies:
  • Baker measured Cole’s gait and compared it to the FBI videos: “The hooded bomber has a very distinct, much more athletic walk, but with a slight right leg drag.... Absolutely the opposite of Brian Cole's gait.” ([16:36])
  • “As Armitas likes to say, Brian Cole's entire body is exculpatory. Or he says his entire body is an alibi...” ([17:10])
  • Cole holds his phone inches from his face; the hoodie bomber holds theirs two feet away, at night, possibly wearing sunglasses ([17:46]).

The “Patsy” Pattern in Law Enforcement

• A Familiar Profile:
  • Kibbe: “I'm getting a little bit exhausted with the government coming out and telling us about lone actors... It's someone that's sort of autistic, mental health issues, maybe... and yet again and again, this person outsmarts everybody and everything to accomplish [their plan].” ([19:21])
• Historical Parallels:
  • Baker cites the Atlanta Olympics bomber as a well-known patsy case ([20:11]).
  • Explains that isolated, disaffected young men are frequently targeted for set-ups or manipulation ([20:40]).
• Institutional Incentives:
  • Pressure to solve high-profile cases, from top FBI leadership, can result in hasty and error-prone prosecutions ([21:24]).

Status of the Case & DOJ’s Reluctance

• Why No Trial?
  • Baker contends DOJ is slow-walking the case because its weaknesses would be exposed in court ([23:13]).
  • “There is no way a DC Jury is going to convict an autistic young black man who does not fit the profile in any way, shape or form, with. So many holes in the FBI's case up to this point.” ([23:40])
  • Belief that DOJ is “waiting him out till he cracks,” to force a plea deal ([24:40]).
• Conditions for Cole:
  • Kibbe: “They're torturing the kid.” ([24:57])
  • Baker: “That's absolutely what I believe.” ([24:58])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Brian Cole’s Routine:

  • “For 13 years, that Brian Cole Jr. Has come into that 711 every day for 13 years wearing his headphones, purchasing two Coca Colas and a pizza.” (Steve Baker, [04:18])

• On the Government’s Narrative:

  • “Somehow he managed to park his car...where there were no CCTV cameras, he managed to appear out of nowhere... we're supposed to believe that.” (Baker, [06:45])

• On Investigative Methods:

  • “That's what we have to do in order to show the absurdities of what the FBI is presenting to us.” (Baker, [15:26])
  • Kibbe, teasing Baker: “You're a weirdo, by the way.” ([15:17])

• On Behavioral Contradictions:

  • “Brian Cole's entire body is exculpatory. Or he says his entire body is an alibi...” (Baker quoting Armitas, [17:10])
  • “A 25 year old with such a severe prescription is probably not going to hold the phone in his or her lap in the dark.” ([18:40])

• On Applying Pressure:

  • “They're torturing the kid.” (Kibbe, [24:57])
  • “That's absolutely what I believe.” (Baker, [24:58])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Brian Cole’s Arrest and Profile: [01:50] – [06:01]
• Timeline and Surveillance Flaws: [06:01] – [09:00]
• Purchasing History, Motive Issues: [09:40] – [11:23]
• FBI Interrogation and Confession: [11:23] – [12:45]
• Gait, Behavior, and Physical Analysis: [13:34] – [18:43]
• Broader Patsy Pattern Discussion: [19:21] – [21:24]
• Why The DOJ Won’t Go to Trial: [22:37] – [24:57]
• Conditions and Fate of Brian Cole: [25:00] – [25:32]

Further Information

• Steve Baker’s reporting:
  • theblaze.com
  • X/Twitter: @SteveBakerUSA ([25:39])

This episode offers a meticulous, sometimes irreverent deep-dive into the cracks in the official story of the “pipe bomber”—capably blending forensic skepticism, empathetic reporting, and dark humor as Kibbe and Baker challenge the audience to demand accountability from federal law enforcement.