WASHINGTON: Two pipe bombs left at the offices of the Republican and Democratic national committees, discovered just before thousands of pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, were actually placed the night before, federal officials said Friday.
The FBI said the investigation had revealed new information, including that the explosive devices were placed outside the two buildings between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, the night before the riot. The devices were not located by law enforcement until the next day.
It is not clear whether that means the pipe bombs were unrelated to the next days riot or were part of the riot planning. Both buildings are within a few blocks of the Capitol.
The incident has been particularly concerning for law enforcement as officials step up security preparations ahead of the Senates impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. For weeks, investigators have been worried about the potential for attacks on soft targets in the nations capital.