United States | News & Politics

A man who was arrested Monday after allegedly bringing Molotov cocktails to the Capitol told police that he intended to kill Speaker Mike Johnson, Pete Hegseth and Scott Bessent, federal prosecutors said in court filings.

Ryan English turned himself in to Capitol Police, admitting he was carrying knives and two Molotov cocktails fashioned out of 50 milliliter Absolut Vodka bottles, stuffed with cloths doused in hand sanitizer.

Police say English indicated that he had intended to target Bessent, the newly confirmed Treasury secretary, and Hegseth, the new Defense secretary. He told authorities he had left his Massachusetts home on Sunday intending to target Johnson and Hegseth but learned that Bessent’s confirmation vote was slated for Monday.

After English arrived at the Capitol, he realized that he was unlikely to be able to get close to Bessent, given the security in place, and he said he considered taking steps that might amount to “suicide by cop,” according to the court filings.

English is facing charges for unlawful transportation of a firearm and bringing an incendiary device into the Capitol.