TLT Explains

RNC Asks DOJ To Investigate Maine's Trump-Hating Election Chief

By The Liberty Tribune Staff

Published: 9/18/2025 · Updated: 9/18/2025 · 5 min read

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has formally requested the U.S.

What's happening

RNC Asks DOJ To Investigate Maine's Trump-Hating Election Chief — early Thursday morning in connection with the pipe bomb incident that occurred in Washington, D.C., nearly five years ago. Cole, 30, is accused of planting two live bombs on January 5, 2021, one near the Republican National Committee (RNC) headquarters and the other near the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move Arrest Details According to a criminal complaint, surveillance footage captured an individual, now identified as Cole, placing the bombs at both locations. The devices were discovered on January 6, 2021, before they could detonate. The Department of Justice has charged Cole with transportation of an explosive device with intent to kill, injure, or intimidate, as well as malicious destruction by means of fire and explosive materials. Cole resides in Woodbridge, Virginia, with family members and works at a bail bond business. Investigators traced the components used in the bombs back to purchases made by Cole at local retailers, including Home Depot and Walmart. They tracked his cell phone to the areas where the bombs were placed and identified his vehicle through a license plate reader. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a significant case regarding the counting of mail-in ballots, specifically whether states can accept ballots that arrive after Election Day. Republican National Committee (RNC), stems from a Mississippi law that allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to five business days afterward. Explainer Supreme Court Allows Mississippi's Social Media Age-Verification Law to Proceed Currently, Mississippi's law permits ballots from a Tuesday election to be counted if they arrive by the following Tuesday, provided they meet the postmark criteria.

What's at stake

Similar laws exist in approximately 30 states. The RNC argues that this practice violates federal , which they claim establish a uniform deadline for voting. Brianna Lyman, an elections correspondent for The Federalist, reported that the RNC contends, "Congress established a uniform, national day to elect members of Congress and to appoint presidential electors," and that Mississippi's law contravenes these federal regulations by extending the voting period. The RNC asserts that allowing ballots to be counted days after Election Day could lead to electoral chaos and undermine public confidence in the election process. They argue that such practices disproportionately benefit Democratic candidates, stating that accepting ballots after the election "deprive[s] the electorate of a clear nationwide deadline." The debate over mail-in ballots intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a surge in mail-in voting as states sought to accommodate social distancing measures. Whistleblower documents have raised serious allegations regarding the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Arctic Frost operation, claiming it was a politically motivated effort to surveil and prosecute members of the Republican Party. According to the documents, the operation was not merely an inquiry into the events of January 6, 2021, as stated by Attorney General Merrick Garland and Special Counsel Jack Smith, but rather a broad attempt to undermine the conservative political apparatus. Explainer Doc Shows Garland, Wray All Over Corrupt 'Arctic Frost' The investigation reportedly involved the surveillance of at least without evidence of wrongdoing. Smith issued 197 subpoenas to 430 individuals and organizations, many of whom had no connection to the January 6 events.

Some targeted groups were not even operational at the time of the incident. Smith defended his tactics, asserting they were routine and consistent with DOJ procedures. However, critics argue that the scale of the operation was unprecedented and indicative of a partisan agenda. Maine voters decisively rejected a proposal to require photo identification for voting, with 63.4% opposing the measure and only 36.6% in favor, according to early results reported by the New York Times. The initiative, known as Maine Question 1, aimed to enhance election integrity by mandating that all eligible voters present an acceptable form of photo ID when voting in person or by mail. Explainer Maine's Secretary of State Acknowledges Presence of Noncitizens on Voter Rolls The proposed changes also included limiting the number of ballot drop boxes to one per locality and requiring voters to submit a written application to receive a mail-in ballot. Rachel Bovard, vice president of programs at the Conservative Partnership Institute, stated, "Arctic Frost was and remains a grave threat to the republic." The documents suggest that the investigation resulted in significant legal costs for those targeted, with many individuals and organizations spending millions to comply with the subpoenas. Despite the extensive nature of the operation, it reportedly yielded no evidence of criminal activity. The implications of Arctic Frost extend beyond the immediate investigation. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: FBI Arrests Brian J. Cole Jr. in Connection with 2021 D.C. Pipe Bombs. The coverage highlights: Jack Smith Ignored Constitutional Standards In Arctic Frost Lawfare. The coverage highlights: Grassley: DOJ Partisans Killed Probe Into Clinton, DNC. The coverage highlights: House Judiciary Committee Investigates DOJ OIG's Role in Arctic Frost Inquiry. The coverage highlights: Supreme Court to Rule on Counting Mail Ballots Received After Election Day. The coverage highlights: Allegations of Political Targeting in DOJ's Arctic Frost Operation.

Key facts & context

2025-12-04: FBI Arrests Brian J. Cole Jr. in Connection with 2021 D.C. Pipe Bombs. 2025-11-25: Jack Smith Ignored Constitutional Standards In Arctic Frost Lawfare. 2025-11-14: Grassley: DOJ Partisans Killed Probe Into Clinton, DNC. 2025-11-12: House Judiciary Committee Investigates DOJ OIG's Role in Arctic Frost Inquiry. 2025-11-11: Supreme Court to Rule on Counting Mail Ballots Received After Election Day. 2025-11-06: Allegations of Political Targeting in DOJ's Arctic Frost Operation. 2025-11-05: Maine Voters Reject Photo ID Requirement in Election. 2025-10-20: Leftist Groups Try To Nuke Wildly Popular Voter Citizenship Rule. 2025-10-14: 250 Ballots Found in Amazon Box as Maine Considers Voter ID Law. 2025-09-08: RNC Asks DOJ To Investigate Maine's Trump-Hating Election Chief.

Timeline & key developments

Primary sources

National Voter Registration Act 1993 Nvra — justice.gov