Monday, a Massachusetts man reportedly detained with Molotov cocktails and a knife on Capitol Hill reportedly told Capitol Police he wanted to assassinate two of President Donald Trump’s cabinet officials and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
A criminal complaint filed Tuesday claims Ryan English told police at the Capitol building entry he carried two Molotov bombs and a knife on him.
English apparently sought to target Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Johnson in addition to killing Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who the Senate confirmed on Monday.
The lawsuit states the individual wanted to “sent a message” with his conduct.
English reportedly claimed that he left his Massachusetts house on Sunday and went to D.C. intending to kill Johnson, or Hegseth — whom he referred to as a “Nazi.”
After visiting D.C., the individual apparently had second thoughts and chose to target Bessent after reading Reddit comments on his confirmation hearing. Police reports indicate he also thought of burning down the conservative Capitol Hill think group, the Heritage Foundation.
“Originally, ENGLISH’s thoughts were to use the small bottles of vodka to start fires and later to wrap them in rags soaked in alcohol, light them and throw them at Bessent’s feet. ENGLISH explained, in the event ENGLISH was able to get close enough to Bessent, ENGLISH would have stabbed him with the knife that ENGLISH brought from home.” the criminal complaint states.
Police searched English and discovered he carried two Molotov cocktails in his jacket pocket and a “folding knife” in his pants pocket.
Authorities then examined English’s car and found a hoodie with sleeves cut and a bottle of vodka.
Police also came upon a message in the suspect’s jeans pocket 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 cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters. I love you. This is awful. Im so sorry. I love u. Please stay alive and heal. you can. you are strong enough. F*** them for pushing us so far. you dont deserve this. Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying. Please survive [7 hearts],” the note read.
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