A Massachusetts man was arrested Monday at the U.S. Capitol after allegedly bringing two Molotov cocktails and multiple weapons, with the stated intent to kill Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Ryan Michael “Reily” English, the suspect, voluntarily turned himself in to U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), confessing to carrying makeshift Molotov cocktails fashioned from small vodka bottles and several knives.
According to a criminal affidavit obtained by The Gateway Pundit, which was filed by Special Agent Peter Campopiano of the United States Capitol Police (USCP), English approached an officer near the South Door of the Capitol Building around 3:12 PM on Monday.
During the encounter, English stated, “I’d like to turn myself in,” and admitted possession of the dangerous devices.
Upon being detained and searched, officers discovered a folding knife, two incendiary devices made from vodka bottles with cloth affixed to the tops, and a lighter.
English revealed that his primary target was Scott Bessent, the newly confirmed Secretary of the Treasury, but also indicated broader plans to attack other prominent figures, including Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
His initial plan, according to the affidavit, involved traveling to Washington, D.C., to carry out what he described as a mission to “depose” political offices and send a message.
English admitted to law enforcement that he intended to use the vodka bottles, filled with alcohol and fitted with cloth soaked in hand sanitizer, as weapons to “start fires” and possibly stab his intended targets.
In addition to the weapons found on his person, a search of English’s vehicle revealed a larger bottle of vodka and a sweatshirt with its sleeves cut into rags, which matched the materials used in the makeshift bombs.
A manifesto was also discovered, written on the back of a receipt. It conveyed guilt and despair, expressed a yearning to retaliate against perceived injustices, and included a heartfelt plea to someone named “Judith” to “stay alive and heal.”
The handwritten note reads:
“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. Fuck them for pushing us so far. you dont deserve this. Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying. Please survive [7 hearts]
English told authorities he expected his actions to result in his death, possibly through a violent confrontation with police, indicating an acceptance of “suicide by cop.”
The affidavit detailed how English meticulously prepared for his attack, leaving his phone at home to avoid surveillance, purchasing an atlas for navigation, and wearing concealing clothing while obtaining materials for his incendiary devices.
According to the affidavit:
ENGLISH admitted to leaving ENGLISH’s phone at home for surveillance purposes. ENGLISH left ENGLISH’s home in Massachusetts on Sunday, January 26, 2025, again leaving ENGLISH’s phone behind for surveillance purposes, and traveled to the District of Columbia with the intention of killing what ENGLISH referred to as “Nazi” Secretary of Defense, Peter Hegseth, and/or the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and/or burning down the Heritage Foundation, “two blocks from the White House.”
These actions were specifically to “depose” these political offices and send a message. ENGLISH admitted to buying an atlas a month ago to navigate ENGLISH’s way to the District of Columbia, given ENGLISH would not have a phone with GPS capability.
ENGLISH further admitted that ENGLISH wore clothes to conceal ENGLISH’s appearance when purchasing the atlas and paid cash for the atlas.
15. On ENGLISH’s way to Washington, D.C., ENGLISH stopped at a library in Chevy Chase, Maryland, observed Reddit posts mentioning the confirmation hearings of the Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, and altered ENGLISH’s target.
ENGLISH confirmed that ENGLISH purchased the alcohol bottles for the intended purpose of constructing a destructive device. 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.
Read the affidavit below:
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