Massachusetts man charged in attempt to assassinate a member of Trump's Cabinet

A Massachusetts man on Thursday was charged with attempting to assassinate a member of President Donald Trump's Cabinet, after he brought Molotov cocktails to the Capitol in January.

Ryan English, who turned himself into Capitol Police over the incident, allegedly admitted in January that he brought knives and two Molotov cocktails fashioned out of 50 milliliter Absolut Vodka bottles, which were stuffed with cloth doused in hand sanitizer, to Capitol Hill. 

The man is now charged with carrying a dangerous weapon or incendiary device on the grounds of the Capitol, and unlawful possession of an incendiary device, the department said. The incident took place on January 27.

English also allegedly admitted to the police at the time that he was planning to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, though he had initially planned to target House Speaker Mike Johnson and/or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The target switched when English learned that Bessent had been confirmed during his trip in the city.

Officers allegedly found the weapons on the Massachusetts man and a note that 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.”

English appeared in the U.S. District Court on Thursday for his first appearance under the new charges, and will remain in police custody.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.