A Massachusetts man was arrested Monday at the U.S. Capitol after being found with Molotov cocktails and knives, reportedly telling authorities he intended to kill Scott Bessent, who had been confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury earlier that day, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
Ryan Michael “Reily” English approached a Capitol Police officer near the South Door of the Capitol Building around 3:12 p.m., stating, “I’d like to turn myself in.” English disclosed that he was carrying multiple knives and two Molotov cocktails.
After detaining English, officers discovered a folding knife in his pants pocket and two homemade “destructive devices” in his jacket. These were small vodka bottles with cloth wicks soaked in hand sanitizer, alongside a lighter.
English also admitted to having more Molotov cocktails in his vehicle parked on Independence Avenue SW. A subsequent search revealed a 750 ml bottle of 100-proof vodka and a sweatshirt with pieces of cloth cut from it.
English confessed to being at the Capitol to kill Scott Bessent. According to the affidavit, English initially left his Massachusetts home on January 26 intending to target other high-profile figures, including Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, or to set fire to the Heritage Foundation.
However, after stopping at a library in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and seeing Reddit posts about Bessent’s confirmation hearings, he shifted his target.
English reportedly planned to use the vodka bottles to start fires or throw them at Bessent’s feet. If he got close enough, he intended to stab Bessent with a knife brought from home.
In English’s back pocket, officers found a handwritten note addressed to someone named Judith. It read:
“Judith dear god I am so sorry. You must understand I can feel myself dying slowly b/c of my heart. This is terrible but I can’t do nothing while nazis kill my sisters. I love you. This is awful. I’m so sorry. I love u. Please stay alive and heal. you can. you are strong enough. Fck them for pushing us so far. you don’t deserve this. I’m so sorry for lying and plotting and lying. Please survive [7 hearts].”*
The affidavit also revealed English’s detailed planning. He allegedly surveilled Capitol grounds and concluded he would need to kill at least three Capitol Police officers to reach Bessent. He told authorities he was prepared for “suicide by cop” and had accepted the risks of his actions.
This story is developing. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.