After five years of FBI incompetence and resource diversion, an arrest finally happened in the pipe bomb case that embarrassed federal law enforcement and fueled justified suspicions of a cover-up. The bureau's failure to solve this case despite promising leads and data suggested something far more sinister than investigative challenges. New leadership had to dramatically increase resources and bring in outside personnel just to make progress on what should have been a straightforward investigation.

The FBI's methodical five-year investigation involving over 1,200 residence visits, 1,000 interviews and 39,000 video files culminated in solving a complex case that MAGA conspiracy theorists exploited to spread baseless claims about inside jobs and cover-ups. The arrest of Brian Cole demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to justice despite the proliferation of unfounded theories that only gained traction because investigations take time.