Key Takeaways:

• Ryan English, a Massachusetts man, was arrested at the U.S. Capitol with weapons including Molotov cocktails.
• He allegedly intended to kill several prominent Republicans: Speaker Mike Johnson, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
• English surrendered to police, indicating he was targeting Bessent after learning of his confirmation vote.
• Authorities discovered further explosive-making materials in his vehicle.
• English faces serious charges, including unlawful firearm possession and threat to public safety.

A Massachusetts man, identified as Ryan English, was arrested on Monday near the U.S. Capitol after allegedly attempting to carry out a violent plot targeting key Republican leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. English turned himself in to Capitol Police, admitting that he was armed with a folding knife and two homemade Molotov cocktails, constructed from 50ml Absolut Vodka bottles filled with flammable materials and cloths soaked in hand sanitizer. According to AP News, he expressed intentions to kill these officials following the confirmation vote for Bessent, mistakenly believing it would be his moment to "make a statement" against the political figures.

Investigators alleged that English left his home in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, specifically aiming to harm prominent Republicans, mentioning Bessent as a last-minute target after learning he was scheduled for confirmation on that same day. Following his surrender, a search of English’s vehicle revealed materials for creating additional explosive devices. As detailed by The Guardian, he had previously planned attacks on the Heritage Foundation, a conservative advocacy group near the Capitol.

Legal repercussions for English include charges for unlawful firearm possession and bringing incendiary devices onto federal grounds, as outlined in court filings and reported by multiple sources including Newsweek. Further investigations are ongoing as authorities address the growing concerns surrounding threats to public officials.

For more information on this developing story, visit Le Monde.