Overview: Matthew Christopher Wingate, a Heritage Foundation government relations director, was detained at the Russell Senate Office Building on July 14 after an X‑ray revealed what appeared to be a pistol magazine. Officers say they recovered a 10‑round 9mm magazine and a small bag of pills that later tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl. Wingate—who holds a D.C. carry license but was arrested because weapons are banned in Senate buildings—said he forgot about the magazine and claimed the pills were prescribed. He was released on a misdemeanor charge and is due in court on Aug. 27.
Heritage Foundation Staffer Stopped at Senate Office After 10-Round Magazine and Suspected Drugs Found
AL DRAGO / REUTERS/Al Drago
Matthew Christopher Wingate, the Heritage Foundation's government relations director for defense and foreign policy, was detained by Capitol Police on July 14 after an X‑ray scan at the Russell Senate Office Building indicated what appeared to be a pistol magazine in his briefcase, court records obtained by NOTUS show.
M. Chris Wingate on LinkedIn. / M. Chris Wingate/ LinkedIn
Officers who inspected Wingate’s brown briefcase recovered a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, according to an affidavit filed in the D.C. Superior Court. Although Wingate holds a valid Washington, D.C., license to carry a firearm, firearms and related items are prohibited inside Senate office buildings; he was arrested and taken into custody on that basis.
Capitol police officers stand guard outside the Russell Senate Office Building. / Chip Somodevilla / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
A subsequent search allegedly turned up a small plastic sandwich bag containing four capsules and three blue pressed pills. Court filings say those pills later tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl. During questioning, Wingate reportedly told officers he had forgotten the magazine was in his briefcase and claimed the pills were his and "prescribed by a medical professional."
SNL star Kenan Thompson was part of Democratic efforts to warn about Project 2025 in the lead-up to last year's election. / MANDEL NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
Background
Wingate previously worked for Republican Senators Joni Ernst and Ted Cruz before joining the Heritage Foundation. The think tank is a prominent conservative organization that has supported Project 2025, a policy blueprint that has drawn national attention for proposing sweeping federal changes.
Legal Status
Wingate was released following his arrest on a misdemeanor charge. Court records list a scheduled appearance on Aug. 27. The Daily Beast has contacted the Heritage Foundation for comment.
Note: Details above are taken from court filings and reporting; charges and allegations are as reported and have not been proven in court.
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