MAGA Aide Accused of Trying to Bring Drugs Into Senate
He was stopped with ammunition and a sandwich bag containing suspected cocaine and fentanyl.
Al Drago/REUTERS
A Heritage Foundation staffer was stopped from entering a Senate office building after authorities say they found ammunition and suspected drugs in his briefcase.
Matthew Christopher Wingate was detained by Capitol Police on July 14 after allegedly attempting to pass through security at the Russell Senate Office Building.
According to court records obtained by NOTUS, an X-ray scan of his bag revealed what appeared to be a pistol magazine, prompting officers to carry out a further search.
M. Chris Wingate on LinkedIn.
M. Chris Wingate/ LinkedIn
Although Wingate initially told officers there “shouldn’t be” a magazine in his bag, investigators recovered a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, according to an affidavit filed in Washington, D.C., Superior Court.
The Texas native held a valid license to carry a firearm in Washington, D.C., but firearms and related weapons are prohibited inside Senate office buildings, and he was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.
A further search of his brown briefcase uncovered more than ammunition.
Sign Up for The Swamp Newsletter
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Authorities allege that Wingate—the Heritage Foundation’s government relations director for defense and foreign policy, who previously worked for Republican Senators Joni Ernst and Ted Cruz—was also carrying a plastic sandwich bag containing four capsules and three blue pressed pills. The pills later tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl, according to court filings.
Capitol police officers stand guard outside the Russell Senate Office Building.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
During questioning, Wingate reportedly said he had forgotten the magazine was in his briefcase and claimed the drugs belonged to him and were “prescribed by a medical professional.”
The Heritage Foundation, a powerful conservative think tank, has been one of the driving forces behind Project 2025—a controversial policy blueprint that seeks to expand executive power, overhaul the federal workforce with loyalist appointments, and advance a sweeping conservative agenda on social and economic issues.
“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
Though President Donald Trump, 80, said during his 2024 election campaign that he knew “nothing” about the policy plan, many of its proposals have since been reflected in actions taken by his administration during his second term.
Wingate was released following his arrest on the misdemeanor charge and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 27, according to court records.
The Daily Beast has reached out to the Heritage Foundation for comment.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in or create an account
Login dialog
Loading comments…