Ashan M. Benedict, the assistant U.S. Capitol Police chief, has retired from the department after being accused of preventing two special agents involved in the discovery of a pipe bomb at the Democratic National Committee building from testifying before a U.S. House panel, according to Rep. Thomas Massie.
Benedict’s retirement came one day after an investigation revealed unexplained activity by the Capitol Police officers who discovered the bomb, who were overseen by Benedict. The announcement surprised some at the Capitol Police because his contract with the department was set to expire at the end of the month, on Dec. 1. Benedict joined the Capitol Police on Dec. 4, 2023, as assistant chief for protective and intelligence operations, which includes counter-surveillance teams. He later became assistant chief for standards and training operations.
“They never looked for a third or fourth or fifth pipe bomb,” Massie said, referring to the officers’ failure to search other areas for explosives in any of the extensive video available. The U.S. Capitol Police confirmed one of its agents found the pipe bomb near the DNC park bench, but there is no video showing that because key cameras were turned away from the Democratic National Committee building at the time.
Massie described a meeting where Benedict frequently interrupted the officer, answered before the officer could reply, or qualified the officer’s answers. “There was an effort by our committee staff to get Benedict to sit for a transcribed interview, but he successfully evaded that effort,” Massie said. He questioned how the officers knew to look in specific locations, including the Congressional Black Caucus Institute bush, and noted that they never looked for more bombs after finding the second one.
Benedict’s retirement is just the latest disclosure in two months of developments in the long-unsolved pipe-bomb case. The two special agents, who are known to the article, are still with the Capitol Police. The one who discovered the bomb is now the Capitol Police’s liaison to the FBI — the agency charged with investigating the pipe bombs. His partner, who accompanied Benedict to meet with Massie, still works in the intelligence section.
Questions and requests for comment sent to Benedict and the two officers were not returned in time for publication.
