Newly released footage of a shadowy figure planting pipe bombs near the heart of our nation’s political hubs has just dropped, and it’s as chilling as a January night in D.C. This isn’t some Hollywood thriller; it’s a stark reminder of the dangers lurking just beneath the surface of our fractured political landscape.
The New York Post reported that on the eve of the Capitol unrest, January 5, 2021, a suspect was caught on camera planting explosive devices outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The FBI has now shared this previously unseen surveillance video on X, offering a clearer and more detailed look at the suspect’s movements that fateful night.
It’s a bold move to rekindle public interest in a case that’s gone unsolved for far too long. Maybe it’s time for some good old-fashioned American grit to help crack this open.
The footage tracks the suspect, described as about 5 feet 7 inches tall, skulking through Capitol Hill neighborhoods between 7:34 p.m. and 8:18 p.m. on January 5, 2021.
Dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, a mask covering their face, and distinctive Nike Air Max Speed Turf shoes with a yellow logo, this person was clearly prepared to evade identification.
The suspect first appeared near 1st Street and North Carolina Avenue SE, then paused on South Capitol Street to set down a backpack—likely containing one of the bombs.
It’s unnerving to think how casually this individual moved through our capital, plotting potential destruction. One has to wonder if the cultural obsession with anonymity and unaccountability played a role here.
By 7:54 p.m., after sitting on a nearby bench, the suspect planted the first explosive device outside the DNC headquarters. Just over 20 minutes later, at 8:16 p.m., a second device was placed outside the RNC headquarters before the figure vanished into the night.
It’s a calculated act that targeted both sides of the aisle, which should give pause to anyone quick to pin this on a single political faction. Thankfully, no one was harmed in this incident, though authorities have made it clear the attack could have been catastrophic.
It’s particularly sobering to note that then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was inside the DNC offices when the bomb was discovered, and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi passed by one of the devices before it was safely removed. This wasn’t just a stunt—it was a real threat to lives and stability.
The FBI isn’t sitting idly by, offering a hefty $500,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest. “The FBI is still offering a $500,000 reward for information that helps identify the person who placed pipe bombs at the offices of the Democratic National Committee and Republican National Committee on January 5, 2021,” the agency announced on X. That’s a serious incentive, though one wonders if bureaucratic red tape has slowed this hunt from the start.
Further, the agency stated, “As part of our ongoing investigation, we’re releasing an updated video of the subject, which includes previously unreleased footage, higher quality video, and longer clips of the subject’s movements,” also shared on X. If this doesn’t jog someone’s memory, what will? It’s almost as if the suspect has become a ghost in a system more focused on narrative than results.
Investigators have poured immense resources into this case, following hundreds of leads, reviewing thousands of video files, and conducting over 1,000 interviews.
Yet, the suspect remains at large, a frustrating reality for anyone who values law and order over endless inquiries. Perhaps it’s time to rethink how we prioritize these threats in a culture often distracted by the latest social media outrage.
Adding to the intrigue, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino expressed optimism about the case during a “Fox & Friends” appearance in May, stating he was “pretty confident” the agency was closing in on suspects. Confidence is nice, but results matter more, especially when the safety of our capital is at stake. Let’s hope this isn’t just another soundbite in a sea of promises.
This incident, occurring just hours before the Capitol riot, serves as a grim reminder of the volatility surrounding that period. It’s not about pointing fingers at one side or the other but recognizing that extremism, in any form, threatens the very foundation of our republic. We can’t let ideological battles blind us to real dangers.
The release of this enhanced footage is a chance for everyday Americans to step up and help solve a mystery that could have ended in tragedy.
If you’ve got information, that $500,000 reward isn’t just a paycheck—it’s a way to protect our shared future. Let’s not let this case gather dust while we bicker over the latest progressive policy push.
This suspect, with their backpack of destruction and calculated moves, represents a challenge to our security and our resolve. Both the DNC and RNC were targeted, a fact that should unite us in condemning such acts, regardless of political affiliation. Partisan sniping won’t catch this person—vigilance will.
