Sounds like the “device” didn’t have a detonator.
3 years later....Ok
not only that but sounds like USSS and F_B_I and others all knew it was there & it was fake ... so somebody in Pelosi’s office had to tell one of their people to go tell the USSS “hey there’s a pipe bomb right over there near where you guys are” and everyone decided there was nothing to worry about and went to lunch instead.
By the reaction of all LE present, there was no danger. Officers just sat there for a while 15-20 feet from the device, didn’t secure the area, approached the device without any precautions, and allowed people to just walk by the device without informing them of any danger. Because there was no danger.