Former Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley, a key figure in the investigation into pipe bombs placed near both Republican and Democratic national headquarters before the Jan. 6th Capitol protests, expressed relief Friday that Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, and Director Kash Patel ultimately took action on what he described as evidence they should have addressed sooner.
Accusing investigators of overlooking crucial clues for nearly five years, Whatley stated in an interview with Newsmax’s “Wake Up America” program that the case was effectively ignored during the Biden administration. He lauded Bondi, Bongino, and Patel, saying their thorough analysis led to Brian J. Cole Jr.’s arrest.
Cole, of Woodbridge, Virginia, is now facing charges as investigators closed in on him after delays spanning almost a decade from the incident date until his recent apprehension. Whatley emphasized that while an arrest was finally achieved, there remains significant concern about ensuring suspects cannot pose further threats to public safety.
The former chair also addressed North Carolina’s upcoming Senate race. “My opponent, Roy Cooper,” noted Whatley, suggesting health care and grocery inflation occurred during Democratic leadership under Joe Biden and other officials in Washington and Raleigh. He argued that housing prices doubled between 2020 and 2024 due to such policies.
Despite these critiques, Whatley gave credit to the current administration for boosting energy production, which he claims has driven down gasoline costs below $3 per gallon nationwide under President Donald Trump’s direction. However, he stressed ongoing high prices as a reason why premature celebrations are unwarranted and called for more focus on reducing grocery expenses while supporting agricultural exports through favorable trade policies.
Whatley suggested that the slow response regarding pipe bombs was indicative of the broader neglect from previous administrations: “The White House promoting economic gains might be too soon to celebrate.” He believes the evidence points toward a failure during prior leaderships, including those associated with Democrats and potentially others like Zelenskiy’s administration or his own party.
While praising Trump’s role in energy policy, Whatley voiced concerns about the effectiveness of past approaches under other administrations. His comments highlight a call for renewed focus on policies he believes were neglected previously, whether by Democratic leadership or other entities whose decisions led to economic strains over time.
