A senior aide to Rep. Pete Sessions is facing firearm-related charges after authorities say a pistol and ammunition were discovered in his bag during a security screening at the U.S. Capitol complex shortly before Christmas.
Luis Vega, chief of staff to the Texas Republican, was charged Wednesday in connection with the Dec. 22, 2025, incident. The case has drawn attention to security protocols on Capitol grounds and the different screening procedures that apply to members of Congress and their staff.
Firearm found during screening
According to court documents, U.S. Capitol Police officers discovered a black pistol and ammunition inside Vega’s bag during a security screening at a House office building shortly before 6:30 a.m.
An affidavit filed by a supervisory special agent with the Capitol Police states that officers instructed Vega to return the bag to his vehicle and then reenter through the security checkpoint.
Authorities say Vega complied and returned less than five minutes later carrying the same bag. A second screening reportedly found no prohibited items, and Vega was allowed to enter the building.
Interview with investigators
Court records show investigators later conducted a phone interview with Vega several days after the incident.
During that conversation, Vega allegedly acknowledged that he did not have a license to carry the firearm and that the weapon was not registered in Washington, D.C.
He now faces two charges: carrying a pistol outside the home without a license and unlawful conduct on Capitol grounds.
Vega made his initial appearance in D.C. Superior Court on Friday. CNN reported that he was released without bail following the hearing.
An unusual break from routine
The affidavit describes the events of Dec. 22 as a departure from Vega’s normal routine.
According to court documents, Vega told investigators that he typically enters the building alongside Sessions, who is identified in the filing as “Witness-1.” Vega reportedly said he normally hands his bag to the congressman before entering the building, allowing the representative to carry it.
Members of Congress are not subject to the same administrative screening procedures that apply to staff members and visitors entering House office buildings.
On the morning of the incident, however, Sessions and Vega entered separately. Vega allegedly told investigators that he had forgotten the pistol was inside his bag.
Questions about Capitol security
The case highlights the strict security measures in place throughout the Capitol complex, where screening procedures have remained tight amid ongoing concerns about safety and security.
At the same time, the incident raises questions about how prohibited items are handled once detected and whether existing procedures leave gaps that could be exploited.
Capitol Police have not publicly indicated that there was any threat beyond the alleged firearm violation itself. Still, the circumstances surrounding the second screening and Vega’s subsequent entry into the building are likely to draw scrutiny as the case proceeds.
Delay in charges remains unexplained
One aspect of the case remains unclear: why prosecutors waited nearly six months to bring charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia declined to explain the delay between the December incident and the filing of charges this week.
That unanswered question could become a focus as the prosecution moves forward, particularly given the high-profile setting and the extensive documentation typically generated by security incidents on Capitol grounds.
A spokesperson for Sessions’ office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the charges.
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