U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali has set a Feb. 16 trial for Brian J. Cole Jr., saying President Donald Trump’s mass pardons do not bar the prosecution.Cole is indicted on four federal charges tied to alleged pipe bombs placed outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters; prosecutors say the devices did not detonate and that he confessed after FBI questioning.Judge
Amir H. Ali estimated the trial will last about two weeks, defense lawyers say no plea talks have been held, and the ruling limits the reach of the contested pardons.