A 24-year-old man from South Deerfield, Massachusetts, was arrested at the US Capitol on Monday on weapons charges after expressing intentions to harm top Republicans, court documents revealed on Tuesday.
The man, identified as Ryan Michael English, approached Capitol police and disclosed his plan to kill prominent Republicans, including billionaire investor Scott Bessent, on the day of President Donald Trump's Treasury secretary confirmation.
Upon his arrest, English informed authorities that he was in possession of knives and Molotov cocktails and expressed a desire to surrender. A search of his belongings led to the discovery of a folding knife, two homemade firebombs, and a lighter.
Further investigation revealed that English had materials in his car for creating a homemade explosive device. He admitted to traveling from Massachusetts to Washington, DC, with the intent to harm other Republican political figures, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson, and to set fire to the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.
English stated that his actions were aimed at 'deposing' these political offices and sending a message. His initial target was changed to Bessent after coming across information about his confirmation hearing online.
Following Bessent's confirmation by the Senate with a 68-29 vote, English was taken into custody on charges related to unlawful possession and carrying of firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives, or incendiary devices on Capitol grounds.
As of now, there is no attorney listed for English in court records, and attempts to reach a possible relative for comment have been unsuccessful.
