A Massachusetts man was arrested on Monday (January 27) near the U.S. Capitol building after allegedly planning to attack prominent Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Scott Bessent, the newly confirmed Treasury Secretary. Authorities said that 24-year-old Ryan English was found carrying Molotov cocktails made from vodka bottles, a folding knife, and a lighter.
According to court documents, English initially intended to target Hegseth and Johnson but later shifted his focus to Bessent. English reportedly expressed frustration with the political climate and had considered "suicide by cop" as an outcome.
A search of English's vehicle revealed additional materials consistent with the Molotov cocktails. Prosecutors stated that English had written a note to a loved one, apologizing for his actions and expressing anger at being "pushed so far."
English faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison for the firearm charge and five years for the possession charge. His detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday (January 30).