A man arrested near the U.S. Capitol on Monday was found carrying a folding knife and two Molotov cocktails, which he allegedly planned to use to kill prominent Republican politicians, according to federal prosecutors.
Court documents identify the suspect as Ryan English, who turned himself in to police near a Capitol entrance. A search of his belongings revealed two “destructive devices”—50ml bottles of Absolut vodka with torn fabric stuffed inside, forming makeshift Molotov cocktails. He was also carrying a folding knife, prosecutors allege in filings obtained by The Guardian and first reported by Politico.
A search of English’s nearby vehicle uncovered another bottle of vodka and a grey sweatshirt, which prosecutors say matched the material used in the improvised explosives.
English reportedly left his Massachusetts home intending to assassinate:
Prosecutors say English referred to Hegseth as a “Nazi” in evidence presented to a Washington federal court. He allegedly added Bessent to his target list after learning of his Senate confirmation on Monday.
Investigators suspect English may have also planned to attack the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank near the Capitol that supports former President Donald Trump.
Authorities say English acknowledged he might die during his attack and left behind a note to a loved one apologizing for his actions.
“Fuck them for pushing us so far,” he allegedly wrote. “You don’t deserve this.”
English faces charges for unlawfully transporting a firearm and bringing an incendiary device to the Capitol.
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