
A man carrying homemade Molotov cocktails and a knife was arrested at the U.S. Capitol on Monday after allegedly confessing to a plot to assassinate newly confirmed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Authorities identified the suspect as Ryan Michael English, 31, of Massachusetts, who voluntarily approached police and detailed his intentions.
Capitol Police took English into custody after he admitted he was armed and planned to target high-ranking Republican officials. Officers discovered two Molotov cocktails made from vodka bottles and hand sanitizer, along with a knife and a lighter. A search of his nearby vehicle revealed additional incendiary materials.
Investigators say English originally intended to attack Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson but shifted his focus to Bessent after reading online posts about his confirmation hearings. Authorities noted that he took steps to avoid detection, leaving his phone at home and using a physical road atlas to navigate.
According to court filings, English admitted he planned to set fires as a diversion and would have used his knife to attack Bessent if given the opportunity. He also reportedly told law enforcement he was prepared to engage officers if necessary, implying he anticipated a “suicide by cop” scenario.
Police found a handwritten note in English’s pocket expressing remorse while blaming his target for what he saw as political oppression. Officials say English viewed his actions as a form of resistance, referring to his intended victims as “Nazis” in his statement.
English is now facing multiple federal charges, including carrying an incendiary device on government property and making threats against federal officials. Law enforcement is investigating whether he acted alone or had outside assistance.