Aa Massachusetts man named Ryan Michael "Reily" English was arrested at the U.S. Capitol while in possession of Molotov cocktails and a knife. According to court documents, English approached Capitol Police and indicated his intention to turn himself in, stating he was armed and had plans to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Initially, English had targeted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson, but his focus shifted after learning that the Senate was voting on Bessent's nomination that same day. The affidavit reveals that English contemplated throwing Molotov cocktails at Bessent and, if close enough, using a knife to stab him. Bessent's nomination was confirmed approximately three hours after English's arrest.
Charges against English include unlawful possession of firearms and incendiary devices on Capitol grounds. During the search conducted by police, they discovered two Molotov cocktails made from vodka bottles, a folding knife, and a lighter. English also admitted to having additional Molotov cocktails in his vehicle, where police found a larger bottle of vodka and a sweatshirt with cut-off sleeves.
A note found in English's pocket expressed deep personal turmoil, referencing feelings of despair and a desire to act against what he perceived as threats to marginalized communities. He also mentioned contemplating an attack on the Heritage Foundation, a conservative organization. English reportedly made efforts to avoid detection, including leaving his phone at home and using cash to purchase an atlas for navigation.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding security at the Capitol and the motivations behind violent threats against public officials.