The United States Capitol Police caught 24-year-old Ryan Michael English from South Deerfield Massachusetts near the governmental building because he allegedly declared plans to murder multiple Republican leaders including newly appointed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The Capitol Police officer stationed outside the entrance allowed English to approach after English stated his intention to surrender and then revealed he carried weapons. The police search uncovered two Molotov cocktails along with a folding knife held by the English. Police inspection of his proximity vehicle found another vodka bottle alongside pieces of cut fabric in a gray sweatshirt that pointed to additional constructed incendiary devices.
Through his official statement, English declared he had come to Iraq to serve out a murder plan against Bessent and Hegseth along with Johnson. English announced his desire to burn down the Washington-based Heritage Foundation which operates as a right-wing think tank. He stated to authorities that he considered asking police to fire at him lethally because direct access to Bessent remained impossible through the capital building.
He is now facing charges of having explosives together with illegal weapons acids within the Capitol grounds leading to increased security measures for public officials and politically motivated violence. Authorities are studying his personal history and driving forces as well as potential links to established groups to determine if he worked separately or as part of a greater operation.
National tensions are elevated right now because Trump’s administration recently implemented policy changes while confirming new cabinet members. The political environment characterized by intense polarization exhibits reactions of support as well as resistance toward both Secretary Bessent of the Treasury and Secretary Hegseth of Defense.
Public safety around the Capitol faces intense criticism because this new incident reveals that protecting public officials remains an enduring obstacle for law enforcement. U.S. Capitol Police repeated their promise to defend both political leaders and general audiences while insisting on swift activity monitoring and reporting from all people.
The investigation continues so officials ask anyone who holds more information about English or his activities to reveal this information to law enforcement. The security crisis revealed through this incident demonstrates the dangerous threat levels present in modern politics so adequate protective safeguards need to become a priority for leader safety.
