Ryan Michael “Reily” English of Massachusetts was charged with possession of a firearm (in this case, the Molotov cocktails) and carrying an explosive on Capitol grounds.
English turned himself in to a Capitol Police officer at the South entrance, saying he originally intended to kill Hegseth, whom he called a “Nazi,” and Johnson as a means to “depose” them, an officer wrote in the affidavit. But English told investigators that reading online about Bessent’s confirmation spurred him to focus on the treasury secretary, police said.
English said he planned to throw the vodka-filled Molotov cocktails at Bessent’s feet, but if he could get close enough to him he would stab him, according to the arrest warrant. The suspect said he knew his assassination attempt would likely mean he’d also have to kill police, opening him up for “suicide by cop,” the document asserted.
Authorities recovered a receipt in his back pocket that contained a letter to a woman in which English noted a possible heart ailment and apologized for his anticipated actions, according to Capitol Police. “Fuck them for pushing us so far. you don’t deserve this. i’m so sorry for lying and plotting and lying,” it read.
English’s attorney did not immediately respond to a HuffPost request for comment.