Ryan Michael "Reily" English was arrested Monday after showing up at the U.S. Capitol Monday with knives and Molotov cocktails, the Post Millennial reported. The Massachusetts man allegedly targeted some of President Donald Trump's newly confirmed Cabinet members before settling on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Shortly after 3 p.m. on Monday, English approached a Capitol Police Officer with an unusual admission that he had knives and incendiary devices. "I’d like to turn myself in," he told the officer.
A search of his person turned up a folding knife and two 50 mL bottles of vodka, each topped with a cloth soaked in hand sanitizer and tucked into his jacket pockets. English also had a lighter on him at the time.
His vehicle contained other knives, Molotov cocktails, and a gray sweatshirt, which the strips of fabric for the toppers were cut from. English settled on killing Bessent, who was confirmed that day as Trump's Treasury Secretary, despite initially setting his sights on others.
English left home Sunday, bound for Washington, D.C. with ill intent. He was intent on murdering "'Nazi' Secretary of Defense, Peter Hegseth, and/or the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and/or burning down the Heritage Foundation," the affidavit said.
"These actions were specifically to 'depose' these political offices and send a message," the document added. However, after seeing on Reddit that Bessent was about to be confirmed that day, English changed his plans.
"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," the affidavit noted. The document also notes that "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."
English understood that he "would have to kill, at least, three US Capitol Police Officers to get to Bessent and kill him," the legal filing went on. He knew carrying out this plan would put him "in grave danger and expressed acceptance and content with the possibility of suicide by cop" and proceeded anyway.
English is being held for violations including "Unlawful Receipt, Possession, and/or Transfer of a Firearm" and "Carrying a Firearm, Dangerous Weapon, Explosive, or Incendiary Device on the Grounds of the Capitol." As bad as this is, it's clear it could have been much worse.
English turned himself in before he could hurt anyone, which was a relief. However, evidence found on him indicates that he was headed down a path that could have changed the course of American history.
A chilling note was recovered from English's back pocket that had the fatalistic tone of a kamikaze. Although it's unclear who the recipient is, it appears English was ready to unleash harm on officials even if it meant death for him.
"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," English reportedly scribbled on a receipt.
"This is awful. Im so sorry. I love u. Please stay alive and heal. you can. you are strong enough. F*ck them for pushing us so far. you dont deserve this. Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying. Please survive," he ended the note, adding seven hearts.
There is a growing threat to officials in no small part because of the constant barrage of attacks from the media. English was thwarted, but it only takes one person to be successful at one of these attempts, and that's frightening.
