DC Pipe Bomb Arrest, Pentagon Lawsuit, & Dogs for Mental Health

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Adam Rogers
December 05, 2025

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Federal authorities arrested a Virginia man for allegedly planting the two viable pipe bombs found outside the DNC and RNC headquarters on Jan. 5, 2021. Investigators say the devices could have caused “serious injury or death.”
The suspect was initially captured only on grainy surveillance footage wearing a hoodie, mask, and Nike sneakers. Analysts noted a distinct gait, but never confirmed gender. The FBI conducted 1,000+ interviews, reviewed 39,000 video files, chased 600 tips, and offered a $500,000 reward, but progress stalled for years.
The bombs were discovered minutes before the Capitol breach. One sat within 20 feet of Vice President–elect Kamala Harris as she entered the DNC building, according to a DHS inspector general report. Congressional and watchdog reviews later found multiple law enforcement lapses in detecting and securing the explosive devices.

The New York Times sued the Pentagon on Thursday over new rules restricting how reporters cover the US military, alleging they violate the First Amendment. The lawsuit challenges a 21-page agreement Pentagon reporters were told to sign in October.
The rules prohibit gathering or publishing unauthorized information, including declassified material and off-the-record conversations, whether on or off Pentagon grounds. Reporters who refuse to sign lose access. The Times says the policy restricts journalists from asking questions and gathering information beyond official pronouncements.
Five major broadcasters, including NBC News, also refused to sign in October, while six Times reporters turned in their access badges in protest. The Pentagon said the policy prevents leaks that damage national security.

Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Slovenia withdrew from Eurovision 2026 on Thursday after organizers allowed Israel to compete despite the Gaza war. The countries pulled out following a European Broadcasting Union vote that adopted new voting rules but declined to exclude Israel from the competition in Vienna next May.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said Israel's participation is incompatible with its responsibilities as a public broadcaster. Ireland called participation "unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza." Several broadcasters cited journalist killings in Gaza and Israel's denial of media access to the territory. Iceland meets on Wednesday to discuss participation.
The contest draws over 100 million viewers annually. Spain is one of Eurovision's "Big Five" major contributors, and Ireland has won a record seven times. Israel placed second last year but faced vote manipulation allegations.

The Supreme Court let Texas use a new Republican-drawn congressional map for next year's midterms despite a lower court ruling it had illegally considered race when drawing districts. (More)

Senate Democrats will vote next week on a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, but the bill needs 60 votes, and Republicans oppose it. (More)

Congress's watchdog is investigating housing director Bill Pulte after he referred several Democrats to Justice for mortgage fraud, with questions about how he obtained their private mortgage documents. (More)

Russia blocked Snapchat and restricted Apple's FaceTime, claiming they're used for terrorism and fraud, expanding a crackdown that's already limited YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram. (More)

A Vatican commission studying women deacons ruled out ordaining women as deacons based on Catholic doctrine and tradition, but stopped short of making a final judgment on the issue. (More)

Britain and Norway will send 13 warships to patrol the North Atlantic and protect undersea cables from Russian submarines after a 30% jump in Russian naval activity near the UK. (More)

US stock markets closed mixed on Thursday (S&P +0.11%, Nasdaq +0.22%, Dow -0.07%). Stocks traded flat as investors waited for the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision next week. (More)

Meta is cutting its metaverse budget and shifting money to AI and smart glasses after its Reality Labs lost $4.4 billion last quarter on just $470 million in revenue. Its stock jumped 4% on the news. (More)

US employers announced 1.17 million job cuts through November, up 54% from last year and the highest since 2020, driven by corporate restructuring, AI adoption, and tariff concerns. (More)

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is expected to play Sunday against Pittsburgh despite missing practice with ankle and other nagging injuries, while going three straight games without a touchdown. (More)

The American Film Institute named its top 10 films, including "Hamnet," "Marty Supreme," and "Sinners," a list that typically overlaps with seven to eight Oscar best picture nominees. (More)

The NFL will require all 30 stadiums to install new playing surfaces by 2028 that meet lab-tested standards, but teams can choose between grass, synthetic, or hybrid fields. (More)

American Cancer Society guidelines now allow self-swab HPV tests for cervical cancer screening, letting women collect samples at home or in clinics instead of traditional speculum exams. (More)

NASA completed its Roman Space Telescope, set to launch by May 2027 and expected to discover over 100,000 planets, hundreds of millions of stars, and billions of galaxies. (More)

New research suggests a 1345 volcanic eruption cooled Europe's climate and ruined crops, forcing Italian cities to import grain from the Black Sea, which brought plague-infected fleas that killed half of Europe's population. (More)

Study shows having a dog may improve teens’ mental health.

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