Massachusetts Man Arrested for Attempting to Kill Republicans at U.S. Capitol

A 24-year-old Massachusetts man, Ryan Michael English, was arrested on weapons charges after he visited the U.S. Capitol on Monday with plans to kill top Republican figures, including billionaire investor Scott Bessent. English reportedly approached Capitol Police, admitted to having knives and Molotov cocktails, and expressed his intention to surrender. Investigators found a folding knife, two homemade firebombs, and a lighter on him.

English’s arrest followed his confession to police that he had come to Washington, D.C., to target Bessent, who had just been confirmed as President Donald Trump’s treasury secretary. He also intended to kill other Republicans, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson, and to attack the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Investigators found materials for homemade explosives in his car.

English now faces charges related to unlawful possession of firearms, explosives, and dangerous weapons on Capitol grounds. Authorities are still investigating, and court records have not named an attorney for English at this time.