Wed Jan 29 18:30:00 IST 2025: **Man Arrested Near US Capitol with Molotov Cocktails, Planned Assassination of Top Officials**
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Massachusetts man, Ryan English, was arrested Monday near the US Capitol with two Molotov cocktails and several knives, according to federal prosecutors. English allegedly intended to assassinate House Speaker Mike Johnson, newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Court documents reveal English, who turned himself in to Capitol Police, initially planned to kill Johnson and Hegseth, referring to the latter as a “Nazi.” He also planned to burn down the Heritage Foundation. After seeing online posts about Bessent’s confirmation hearing, he shifted his focus to Bessent, aiming to throw Molotov cocktails at his feet and stab him if possible. English acknowledged to investigators that he anticipated having to kill multiple Capitol Police officers to reach Bessent and expressed a willingness to be killed by police.
A note found on English indicated distress and implied a motive rooted in political grievances. The note stated, in part, “I can feel myself dying slowly b/c of my heart…nazis kill my sisters.”
The incident follows a recent trend; Capitol Police have confiscated over 50 illegally possessed weapons near the Capitol complex since January 2024. English is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device on Capitol grounds, and unlawful receipt or possession of a firearm. The investigation is ongoing.
First Piper 