The Megyn Kelly Show – FBI Director Kash Patel on Pipe Bomber Arrest & Ongoing Mysteries

Ep. 1207 | SiriusXM | December 5, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on the breakthrough arrest in the January 6th D.C. pipe bomber case—Brian Cole Jr.—and explores broader questions about FBI investigations under different administrations. Host Megyn Kelly interviews:

• Kash Patel: FBI Director, who details investigative breakthroughs and responds to new revelations.
• John Solomon: Investigative journalist, Just the News founder, offering context and reporting updates.
• James R. Fitzgerald: Former FBI profiler, sharing behavioral analysis based on decades of experience.

The panel scrutinizes the suspect’s profile, discusses ongoing mysteries about motive and process, and reflects on wider patterns among recent high-profile criminal acts.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breakdown of the Pipe Bomber Investigation

• Arrest Details:

  • Suspect: Brian Cole Jr., 30, from Woodbridge, VA. Charged with transporting and attempting to use explosives.
  • Background: Worked for his father's bail bonds company focusing on freeing illegal immigrants.
  • [01:09–03:13]

• Investigation & FBI Approach:

  • No new tips—breakthrough came from re-analyzing old evidence.
  • Over 3 million lines of evidence, especially cell phone tower data, credit card records, and surveillance video.
  • "We brought in subject matter experts from across the country and reviewed those 3 million lines of evidence..."
    — Kash Patel [05:33]
  • Video analysis and license plate readers were utilized to trace movement and purchases.
  • Suspect's purchases of bomb materials traced back as early as October 2019.
  • [05:33–10:34]

• Critical Evidence & Surveillance:

  • Purchases connected using credit cards and in-person store visits; some purchases in cash tracked via in-store video and staff interviews.
  • License plate scans and surveillance placed the suspect at bomb sites, both on the crime date and earlier for scouting.
  • Unique sneakers tied suspect to scenes.
  • The suspect continued buying materials even after the failed bombing attempt, raising questions about intent for further attacks.
  • "We have to send in an entire bomb tech squad team to safeguard the house..."
    — Kash Patel on the ongoing house search [16:45–17:13]

2. Suspect Profile & Motive Exploration

• Brian Cole described as intelligent yet deeply reclusive, possibly "almost autistic" per grandmother (NY Post).
• Motive remains unclear; public reporting points to belief in 2020 election conspiracy theories, but Cole’s bomb plots predate the election, indicating possible other drives.
  • “He was buying these, these galvanized pipes…way back in October 2019, well before the election even occurred.”
    — James R. Fitzgerald [44:10]
• Discussion around whether the suspect sought to be covered by Trump’s pardons, though charges predate 1/6.
• Ongoing analysis of suspect’s social media, online activity, and any links to extremist groups.
  • “That is just not something we can address right now.”
    — Kash Patel, on motive [19:21]
• FBI is investigating possible co-conspirators, but so far no public signs of group involvement.

3. How Kash Patel’s FBI Cracked the Case

• Contrasts drawn between the current and previous FBI leadership:
  • Previous leadership accused of incompetence or willful neglect, focusing more on "Russiagate" or other priorities.
  • Patel’s team credited with transparent, aggressive efforts: “...we made the decision to go in and reexamine the lines of evidence…”
    — Kash Patel [21:44]
• High volume of arrests this year and proactive criminal investigations highlighted to refute politicization criticisms:
  • 25,000 violent felons arrested (110% increase).
  • Major uptick in spy, domestic terrorism, and child predator arrests.
  • “I have never seen an FBI more on mission.”
    — Kash Patel [24:06]

4. Challenges and Remaining Mysteries

• Discrepancies in suspect's actions:

  • Devices not sophisticated but described as “viable” — bombs assembled with minor imperfections that likely prevented detonation.
  • Use of old-fashioned, short-duration kitchen timers inconsistent with intent to harm, raising questions about true objectives.
  • “He wanted to make it look pretty…he had some homemade black powder…Not sure where that came from.”
    — Fitzgerald [48:00, paraphrased]

• Anomalies in timeline:

  • Purchases stretching across 15+ months, with unclear triggers for finally acting in January 2021.
  • Motive possibly not overtly political—speculation on psychological “thrill-seeking,” “gamer mentality,” or deeper mental health challenges.

• “Disillusionment criminals” — term used for isolated young men acting out for thrill or personal significance rather than clear ideology.
  — John Solomon [98:46]

5. Parallel Cases and Broader Trends

• Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump attempts:
  • Patel confirms confidence in Tyler Robinson as Kirk’s killer, no foreign or Turning Point USA involvement.
  • FBI open to further investigation on possible connections to trans activism, but no evidence so far.
• Discussion of similarities among recent mass attackers:
  • Isolated, mostly young men, often with gaming or online obsessions, detached from community.
  • Noted increase in such cases—potential “generational issue” or “syndrome.”
  • "There is something about an isolated male in the 21st century that is creating a syndrome…"
    — John Solomon [91:10]
• On the shooter Thomas Crooks:
  • Cautious FBI response; no public evidence found of online radicalization. Transparency highlighted.

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On finding the suspect:
  • “...when you combine them with the multiple lines of effort, the universe of people goes from this down to here…humans that we brought in from around the country to do this for hundreds of days and thousands of man hours.”
    — Kash Patel [08:46]
• On past FBI performance:
  • “I don't know why the prior FBI didn't do that. ...The only thing I can come up with is either they were too incompetent in terms of leadership or intentional. And I think it was intentional because it was a further weaponization of law enforcement.”
    — Kash Patel [11:24]
• On the urgency of the search:
  • “...once we figured out that this individual is a likely suspect, we're not going to just leave him be in the neighborhood. This FBI creatively, successfully, and surreptitiously monitored him...”
    — Kash Patel [15:01]
• Profiling the suspect:
  • “He may be somewhat of a bomber without a cause. Putting these bombs together, looking for an excuse, trying to figure out who the best target would be…”
    — James Fitzgerald [44:10]
• Motives and mental health:
  • “Sometimes doing something like this is simply a thrill adventure. And we're trying to ascribe a political motive, but it was just Ferris Bueller's Day out and I'm going to do something crazy today and see what happens.”
    — John Solomon [63:41]
• On public pressure and transparency:
  • “We have provided 40,000 pages of documents to Congress versus Ray, who provided 13,000 in seven years, and Comey provided 3,000 in three and a half years.”
    — Kash Patel [18:20]
• On bombing devices:
  • "They were made generally how you would create to have them detonate. But they had minor imperfections that would never have allowed them to go off, even when the timer hit."
    — John Solomon [72:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Breaking news & suspect arrested: [01:09–03:13]
• FBI interview with Patel on investigation processes: [03:13–17:48]
• Analysis of suspect’s background, purchases & surveillance: [07:06–13:37]
• Details about search, bomb-making materials, follow-up actions: [16:29–18:14]
• Motivation, lone wolf vs. group connections debate: [19:21–23:00]
• Critique of prior FBI leadership & politicization allegations: [21:21–26:59]
• Profiler James Fitzgerald’s assessment on bomber psychology: [44:10–48:00]
• Technical breakdown of the bombs & investigative anomalies: [66:04–72:02]
• Parallels drawn to other recent perpetrators: [85:01–89:00]; [91:10–92:17]
• Debate on Antifa/BLM connections: [95:32–98:13]

Takeaways for Listeners

• The D.C. pipe bomber case was solved through exhaustive reevaluation of old evidence and new leadership at the FBI.
• The suspect’s psychology, timeline, and true motivations remain complex and possibly only tangentially political.
• Broader societal analyses suggest an urgent need to understand the psychological and social roots of a disturbing number of young, isolated, male perpetrators.
• Transparency and accountability at the FBI have shifted notably under Director Patel, with extensive efforts to inform the public and Congress.
• Despite media speculation, current investigation finds no concrete proof of Antifa, BLM, or organized group links; focus is on possible thrill-seeking, mental health, and social media influences.

Closing Thoughts

This episode provides a detailed, unvarnished window into the realities and challenges of high-profile federal investigations, the evolving culture at the FBI, and the persistent mysteries of lone actor crimes. The conversation is rich with technical, psychological, and societal perspectives—offering listeners a comprehensive picture of both the January 6th bomber case and its broader implications.