Man charged with carrying Molotov cocktails into Capitol, allegedly targeted Bessent, Hegseth and Johnson
Share and Follow

A man arrested Monday after allegedly bringing two Molotov cocktails to the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., said he initially intended to kill House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, federal prosecutors said. 

Ryan English turned himself in to the U.S. Capitol Police, saying he had two Molotov cocktails made with 50 milliliter Absolut Vodka bottles and multiple knives, according to court documents. He is charged with carrying a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device on Capitol grounds and unlawful receipt or possession of a firearm. 

During a search, officers found English with a folding knife and Molotov cocktails in his jacket pockets, authorities said. 

“USCP K9s swept and cleared the area, while other USCP officers and agents tracked down English’s car along the 900 block of Independence Avenue, SW,” the Capitol Police statement said. “Investigators uncovered materials to make additional Molotov cocktails inside the vehicle.”

Scott Bessent

Scott Bessent testifies before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his nomination to be Treasury secretary, on Capitol Hill on Jan. 16, 2025. (Getty)

At some point, English stopped at a library in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where he saw posts on Reddit mentioning the confirmation hearings for Bessent. He allegedly altered his target to focus on Bessent and purchased alcohol bottles to make the Molotov cocktails to “throw them at Bessent’s feet,” court documents state. 

He told authorities that he planned to stab Bessent if he was able to get close to him. While constructing his plan, English surmised that he would have to kill at least three Capitol Police officers to get to Bessent. 

Pete Hegseth

Pete Hegseth speaks with reporters following a meeting with senators on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Realizing he was unlikely to get close to Bessent, English “expressed acceptance and content with the possibility of suicide by cop.”

Since January 2024, the USCP has confiscated more than 50 weapons, outside of the congressional buildings, that were illegally on Capitol grounds, the agency said. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Heartbroken family of late soccer player Diogo Jota arrives at funeral in Portugal

Diogo Jota’s grieving family attends his funeral in Portugal

Liverpool players had come together in the quaint Portuguese town of Gondomar…
Reed Garrett breaks out of funk to save Mets' exhausted bullpen

“Reed Garrett Turns the Tide, Rescuing Mets’ weary Bullpen”

The Mets had nowhere else to turn.  All things considered, they had…
Mind-blowing salaries of lifeguards in Democrat-led county beaches

Impressive wages of lifeguards working at beaches in counties led by the Democratic party

As Donald Trump tries to eliminate inefficiency, dishonesty, and misuse of resources…
Girls missing from flooded Texas Christian camp ID'd

Identification of girls who went missing from flooded Texas Christian camp

Amid the devastating aftermath of a flood that claimed the lives of…
Air France-KLM to take majority stake in Scandinavian airline SAS

Air France-KLM to acquire a larger portion of Scandinavian airline SAS

Air France-KLM intends to raise its ownership in the Scandinavian carrier SAS…
Woman recalls saving person's life from car fire on JTB

A woman remembers rescuing someone from a car fire on JTB

JFRD called Ash Lawley a hero after she pulled a woman from…
Florida expired tags: Potential consequences and tips to avoid registration spam

Consequences of having outdated Florida vehicle registration and ways to prevent receiving registration-related solicitations

Nearly 700,000 Florida drivers have expired tags, and according to recent data…
Bikes fill Neptune Beach's First Street for Fourth of July tradition

Bicycles line Neptune Beach’s First Street for Fourth of July celebration

Neptune Beach Police shut down First Street to cars to accommodate the…