Written by Joshua Coleman.

In a move that’s gotten a lot of attention, the FBI has just dropped new footage of the suspect they believe is behind the pipe bombs found outside the DNC headquarters on January 5, 2021. This person is still unidentified, and their whereabouts remain unknown. For those following the story, this footage adds a new chapter to an already unsettling event. The bombing attempt was part of a larger, still-unclear series of actions surrounding the events of January 6th, and now, the FBI is making it clear they want this individual caught.

To set the scene: On that day, two devices were found near the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters and the Republican National Committee’s headquarters. While the devices were discovered before anyone was hurt, they shook the political world and sparked major concerns about security, especially in the lead-up to the Capitol riot the following day.

The New Footage: What’s in It?

So, what exactly does this new footage show? The FBI has shared video footage of the suspect walking around the area of the DNC headquarters late at night, wearing a hoodie and face mask, clearly trying to keep their identity hidden. The images are grainy, but it’s enough to give a sense of the individual’s build and movements. The footage doesn’t reveal much else—no clear image of the face, and no obvious clues about who this person is. Yet, the FBI is hoping that someone out there will recognize the figure and come forward with information.

It’s almost like a real-life mystery unfolding, where every new clue inches us closer to solving it, but we’re still left with more questions than answers. The video adds to the growing sense of tension as the FBI ramps up its efforts to track down whoever is responsible.

What’s the Bigger Picture Here?

Why does this matter beyond just a bomb threat in Washington? Well, there’s a whole lot of speculation surrounding the timing and purpose of these bombs. They were planted the night before the Capitol insurrection, so it’s possible the intent was to disrupt the government before January 6th even began. Were these pipe bombs a part of a coordinated effort? Or was this person acting alone?

It’s also raised bigger questions about security at a time when the nation was already on edge. People were worried about violence, and then this happens—a clear signal that not everyone was planning to just sit back and watch the chaos unfold.

Imagine this: You’re an ordinary citizen trying to wrap your head around the storm of political and social unrest in the U.S. How do you make sense of someone walking the streets of D.C., planting bombs the night before a massive political event? It’s chilling, and even though no one was hurt, the larger question remains: What was the goal here? Was it to create chaos, distract, or something else?

The Investigation: How Close Are We to an Answer?

The FBI’s continued release of footage and public calls for information are part of a wider investigation. As of now, the person behind the pipe bombs has remained elusive, and it’s unclear how far the FBI has gotten in its investigation. In some ways, it’s starting to feel like a waiting game. The Bureau is hoping someone in the public will recognize something that could lead to a breakthrough. But in a city like Washington, where masks and hoodies are common, identifying someone based on just a few seconds of blurry footage is a tough task.

Here’s where the stakes get even higher. If this person is linked to the January 6th insurrectionists, that raises the question of whether this was a larger plan to destabilize the government. What’s clear is that this person was intent on creating destruction, but whether they were a part of a more organized group or simply a lone wolf remains uncertain.

Our Take

The ongoing mystery around the DNC pipe bomb suspect says a lot about the state of American politics. We’re living in a time where violence and chaos are becoming too common, and even the smallest incidents, like this one, carry enormous weight. The FBI is doing its job by releasing footage and asking the public for help, but there’s something deeply unsettling about the fact that we’re still left with so many unanswered questions.

This situation also highlights the brokenness of the system that allows acts like this to happen. There’s no denying that whoever planted these bombs had a motive—whether it was political, ideological, or something else entirely. But the fact that they’ve managed to stay hidden for so long tells us a lot about the state of our security measures and the deeply polarized environment in which we’re living.

It’s troubling that we can’t even figure out who planted these bombs, especially considering the climate of unrest in the country at the time. This mystery isn’t just about one individual or one act of violence; it’s about the growing sense of instability and division in America today. It’s a reminder that we’ve got serious work to do to heal this country, and it starts by addressing the root causes of these acts, not just tracking down the people who commit them.

#BREAKING: The FBI has released new footage of the suspect allegedly responsible for planting pipe bombs outside the DNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021. The individual remains unidentified and at large. pic.twitter.com/hrcNL7me6w

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 2, 2025