Ryan English: Man arrested with Molotov cocktail aimed to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at US Capitol

A Massachusetts man arrested at the US Capitol with Molotov cocktails and a knife told police he was there to “kill” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Ryan Michael “Reily” English, who turned himself in to US Capitol Police on Monday afternoon, said he travelled to Washington, DC, initially planning to kill Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson, a police affidavit revealed.

But Mr English shifted his target to Mr Bessent after stopping at a library in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and reading that the Senate was voting Monday on his nomination as President Donald Trump’s Treasury chief, the document said.

Mr English contemplated throwing the Molotov cocktails at Mr Bessent’s feet, according to the affidavit, which was filed in the Washington DC federal court. And if he were able to get close enough, Mr English said, he would have stabbed Bessent with a knife.

Mr Bessent’s nomination was confirmed about three hours after Mr English’s arrest.

English has been charged with unlawful receipt, possession or transfer of a firearm, as well as carrying a firearm, explosive or incendiary device on Capitol grounds.

The affidavit said Mr English approached an officer at the south door of the Capitol and said, “I’d like to turn myself in.” Mr English told the officer that he was carrying weapons, including two Molotov cocktails.

Two officers detained and searched Mr English, finding two devices constructed of 50-millilitre vodka bottles with grey cloth affixed to their tops. They also found a folding knife and a lighter, according to the court documents.

He said he was at the Capitol to “kill Scott Bessent,” the affidavit said.

Mr English told police the bottles contained vodka, that the cloth was soaked in hand sanitiser and that he had more Molotov cocktails in his car.

Police said they searched the vehicle and found a 750-millilitre bottle of 100-proof vodka and a grey sweatshirt with cloth cut off the sleeves.

Before transporting Mr English into custody, police said they found a receipt in his pocket with a note written on the back of a receipt.

“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,” the note read, according to the affidavit.

“I love you. This is awful. I’m so sorry. I love you. Please stay alive and heal. You can. You are strong enough. F**k 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),” it read.

In addition to his initial intention of killing Mr Hegseth or Mr Johnson, Mr English told police he considered burning down the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

Mr English said he left his phone at home in order to evade surveillance, and that he bought an atlas with cash a month earlier in order to find his way to DC.

He also said he wore clothes that would conceal his appearance when purchasing the atlas, the affidavit said.

Mr English said that he watched the Capitol grounds and figured he would have to kill at least three police officers in order to get to Mr Bessent.

Mr English “expressed acceptance and content with the possibility of suicide by cop,” the affidavit said.