Transgender Charged After Plotting to Assassinate Trump Cabinet Member With Molotovs

A Massachusetts man pretending to be a woman has been charged in federal court for attempting to assassinate a member of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet earlier this year.

The Department of Justice announced Thursday that Ryan English faces multiple charges after bringing Molotov cocktails and knives to Capitol Hill with the alleged intention of targeting high-level government officials.

The incident took place on January 27, when English voluntarily turned himself in to U.S. Capitol Police.

Ryan Michael English, a man pretending to be a woman, was arrested at the US Capitol for allegedly attempting to kiII United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

English also had expressed an intention to kill Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth, Speaker Mike Johnson, and… pic.twitter.com/7BXWYhuxpi

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 30, 2025

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At the time, he reportedly admitted to officers that he had traveled to Washington, D.C., carrying two Molotov cocktails constructed from 50-milliliter Absolut Vodka bottles.

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The makeshift incendiary devices were filled with cloth and soaked in hand sanitizer, according to the criminal complaint.

In addition to the Molotov cocktails, English was also carrying knives, officials said. Authorities recovered the weapons and a handwritten note found in his possession.

The note stated in part, “This is terrible but I can’t do nothing while nazis kill my sisters… I’m so sorry for lying and plotting and lying.”

According to court documents, English initially planned to assassinate House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

However, he allegedly shifted his target after learning that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had been confirmed during his visit to the Capitol. English then told police he intended to kill Secretary Bessent.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that English has been formally charged with carrying a dangerous weapon or incendiary device on Capitol grounds and unlawful possession of an incendiary device. Additional charges may be considered as the investigation proceeds.

English appeared in U.S. District Court on Thursday in Washington, D.C., for his first appearance under the new charges.

The article says a Massachusetts woman who told police she went to the Capitol to kill members of Trump’s cabinet and was influenced by Luigi Mangione is named Ryan Michael English. Article says Ryan Michael English goes by Riley English. So is this a woman? pic.twitter.com/pFialnmjzz

— Karen Orlando (@KarenFOrlando) March 2, 2025

A federal magistrate ordered that he remain in police custody pending further proceedings.

The Capitol Police and federal prosecutors have not disclosed further details about English’s motives or whether he had any known affiliations.

However, the case has drawn concern due to the use of potentially lethal improvised weapons and the targeting of high-profile government officials.

Authorities have not stated whether English had previously been under surveillance or whether any federal agencies had prior knowledge of his plans.

It is also unclear how he was able to travel to the Capitol with incendiary devices undetected before turning himself in.

The Department of Justice continues to investigate the matter, and more information is expected to be released in the coming weeks as the case moves forward.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has not issued a public comment regarding the incident.

President Donald Trump, who appointed Bessent during his current term, has not yet addressed the matter publicly.

This case marks one of the most serious threats made against a sitting Cabinet official in recent memory and highlights continued concerns about politically motivated violence in the nation’s capital.

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