A law enforcement official told CBS News on Saturday that the explosive devices found Wednesday at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee were viable, although it is unclear how large they were or how much damage they could have done. Its DNC and RNC headquarters are located a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol, which was besieged by a pro-Trump crowd on Wednesday.
Finding the culprit who planted the pipe bombs is a top priority for the FBI and all 56 outside offices are involved in the investigation, law enforcement officials said. Posters and ads for bus stops with images of someone suspected of planting bombs are being sought, and the agency posted the images on social media on Thursday.
The FBI said Thursday it is offering $ 50,000 for information “leading to the location, arrest and conviction” of those responsible.
According to the FBI, “several law enforcement agencies received reports” of the explosives around 1 p.m., about the time riots in the Capitol began to intensify when supporters of President Trump began breaking a barricade in front of the enclosure. Capitol police told CBS News that they responded to the height of the attack and therefore pulled up.
The official said the FBI is aware of the talks on Twitter about the state’s capital attack plans on Jan. 17 and that it is monitoring this and possible disruptions on other dates.
Andres Triay, Catherine Herridge, April Siese and Caroline Linton contributed to this report.