Court documents filed Tuesday reveal that a Massachusetts man, taken into custody at the US Capitol on Monday while carrying Molotov cocktails and knives, admitted he intended to assassinate Scott Bessent, who had been confirmed as Secretary of the Treasury earlier that day.

Congratulations, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/JJiyR3yqNq

— GOP (@GOP) January 27, 2025

According to the affidavit, Ryan Michael “Reily” English approached a Capitol Police officer near the South Door of the Capitol Building at approximately 3:12 p.m. on Monday and stated, “I’d like to turn myself in.” He then informed the officer that he had multiple knives and two Molotov cocktails in his possession.

After detaining English, officers conducted a search, uncovering a folding knife in his pants pocket. Additionally, two “destructive devices” were found inside his jacket. These makeshift explosives consisted of 50 ml vodka bottles with cloth wicks attached. A lighter was also discovered.

🚨 Armed man at the Capitol was intent on killing Scott Bessent, Pete Hegseth & Mike Johnson is now in custody 🚨

He had a knife and two Molotov cocktails with him with more in his vehicle.

He also had plans to burn down @Heritage

The threat at the Capital was first meant to… pic.twitter.com/o46mJPjyiZ

— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) January 28, 2025

English told investigators that the bottles contained vodka and that the cloth wicks had been soaked in hand sanitizer. He admitted that his plan was to “kill Scott Bessent” and revealed that he had more Molotov cocktails stored in his vehicle, which was parked on the 900 block of Independence Ave SW. Upon searching the car, law enforcement recovered a 750 ml bottle of 100-proof vodka and a grey sweatshirt with pieces of fabric cut from it.

A receipt was found in English’s back pocket with a handwritten message that read: “Judith dear god I am so sorry. You must understand I can feel myself dying slowly b/c of my heart. This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters. I love you. This is awful. Im so sorry. I love u. Please stay alive and heal. you can. you are strong enough. F*ck them for pushing us so far. you dont deserve this. Im so sorry for lying and plotting and lying. Please survive [7 hearts],” according to the affidavit.

Investigators learned that English had left his Massachusetts home on Sunday, January 26, with the intent of assassinating “‘Nazi’ Secretary of Defense, Peter Hegseth, and/or the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and/or burning down the Heritage Foundation,” the affidavit stated. “These actions were specifically to ‘depose’ these political offices and send a message.”

On his way to Washington, English stopped at a library in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where he came across Reddit posts discussing Scott Bessent’s confirmation hearings. He then changed his target, deciding to focus on the newly appointed Treasury Secretary.

“Originally, English’s thoughts were to use the small bottles of vodka to start fires and later to wrap them in rags soaked in alcohol, light them and throw them at Bessent’s feet.” The affidavit later stated that English told authorities “in the event English was able to get close enough to Bessent, English would have stabbed him with the knife that English brought from home.”

The document also detailed how, after surveying the Capitol grounds, English “surmised that English would have to kill, at least, three US Capitol Police Officers to get to Bessent and kill him.” He understood that his plan would likely result in his own death and “expressed acceptance and content with the possibility of suicide by cop.”

Authorities determined there was probable cause to charge English with multiple offenses, including violations of Title 26 United States Code § 5861 (Unlawful Receipt, Possession, and/or Transfer of a Firearm) and Title 40 United States Code § 5104 (Carrying a Firearm, Dangerous Weapon, Explosive, or Incendiary Device on the Grounds of the Capitol).

Bessent was confirmed by the Senate in a 68-29 vote on Monday. In a statement announcing his nomination in November, former President Donald Trump wrote, “Scott has long been a strong advocate of the America First Agenda. On the eve of our Great Country’s 250th Anniversary, he will help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States, as we fortify our position as the World’s leading Economy, Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurialism, Destination for Capital, while always, and without question, maintaining the US Dollar as the Reserve Currency of the World. Unlike in past Administrations, we will ensure that no Americans will be left behind in the next and Greatest Economic Boom, and Scott will lead that effort for me, and the Great People of the United States of America.”