Ryan Michael English, a 24-year-old resident of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, has been indicted on charges related to an alleged assassination attempt targeting a presidential cabinet nominee. The indictment was filed in the U.S. District Court and includes charges of attempted assassination and carrying a dangerous weapon on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Building.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. alongside Chief J. Thomas Manger of the U.S. Capitol Police. English is currently in custody and appeared in court for an initial hearing.
English, who also goes by "Reily," faces charges for carrying a dangerous weapon or incendiary device at the Capitol and unlawful possession of such devices.
According to charging documents, on January 27, 2025, around 3:12 p.m., English approached a Capitol Police Officer near the South Door of the Capitol Building and declared his intention to surrender himself. He admitted to having a knife and two Molotov cocktails in his possession.
A search conducted by officers revealed a folding knife and two improvised incendiary devices from English's jacket pockets. These devices were made using small vodka bottles with cloth attached to their tops; a green lighter was also found in another pocket.
During this encounter, English allegedly confessed that he intended to kill a presidential nominee who was testifying before the Senate at that time. A note addressed to a family member was found in his pocket stating his motives: “This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters…Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying.”
English further admitted that he traveled to Washington D.C., intending either to assassinate a government official or set fire to a think-tank based there.
The investigation into this case is being led by the U.S. Capitol Police with prosecution handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan.
It is important to note that an indictment represents only allegations, and defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
