A Massachusetts man, Ryan Michael “Reily” English, was arrested at the U.S. Capitol on Monday with Molotov cocktails and knives, confessing to authorities that he intended to kill newly confirmed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The arrest occurred the same day Bessent was confirmed in a 68-29 Senate vote.
English approached a Capitol Police officer near the South Door of the Capitol Building around 3:12 p.m., stating he wanted to turn himself in. Officers discovered a folding knife in his pants pocket and two Molotov cocktails in his jacket, constructed from 50 ml vodka bottles with cloth soaked in hand sanitizer. A search of his vehicle uncovered additional incendiary materials, including a 750 ml bottle of vodka and a sweatshirt missing fabric that matched the Molotov cocktails.
According to an affidavit, English admitted traveling to Washington, D.C., with plans to target high-profile government officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. His plans shifted after discovering Reddit posts about Bessent’s confirmation hearings, leading him to target the Treasury Secretary.
English told authorities he planned to throw the Molotov cocktails at Bessent’s feet or, if able to approach him, stab him with the knife. He also acknowledged that his actions could require killing Capitol Police officers and expressed willingness to die in a confrontation, referring to “suicide by cop.”
Authorities found a receipt in English’s pocket containing a handwritten note apologizing to a person named “Judith” and referencing feelings of despair and anger over perceived threats to marginalized groups. The note mentioned Nazis and included a plea for survival.
The affidavit stated that English aimed to “depose political offices and send a message” through his actions. He also intended to burn down the Heritage Foundation as part of his plans.
English faces charges under Title 26 U.S. Code § 5861 for unlawful possession of a firearm and Title 40 U.S. Code § 5104 for carrying incendiary devices on Capitol grounds.
English’s arrest follows other security breaches at the Capitol in recent months. These include an Election Day incident involving a man with accelerants and a flare gun and a separate January case where a man was arrested carrying a machete and knives.
Bessent, a longtime advocate of Trump’s “America First” agenda, was confirmed hours before the incident. His confirmation marks a critical point in the administration’s economic policy, with a focus on maintaining U.S. economic leadership and strengthening the dollar as the global reserve currency.
