Ryan Michael “Reily” English, a transgender defendant convicted of crimes connected to an attempted assassination of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison.
The sentencing comes after English pleaded guilty in March 2026.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said following the plea, “Our system of justice depends on public officials being able to carry out their duties free from intimidation and fear.”
“This defendant’s threats crossed a clear legal line, and today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to protecting those who serve. Anyone who threatens violence against government officials will be identified, charged, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Our system of justice depends on public officials being able to carry out their duties free from intimidation and fear.
This defendant’s threats crossed a clear legal line, and today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to protecting those who serve. Anyone who threatens… https://t.co/qJPBhQZyYu pic.twitter.com/IFZsES6qba
— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) March 26, 2026
In January 2025, The Gateway Pundit reported that English was arrested at the U.S. Capitol after allegedly bringing two Molotov cocktails and multiple weapons, with the stated intent to kill Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, then-newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Federal prosecutors revealed that English voluntarily turned himself in to U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), confessing to carrying makeshift Molotov cocktails fashioned from small vodka bottles and several knives.
According to a criminal affidavit obtained by The Gateway Pundit, which was filed by Special Agent Peter Campopiano of the United States Capitol Police (USCP), English approached an officer near the South Door of the Capitol Building.
During the encounter, English stated, “I’d like to turn myself in,” and admitted possession of the dangerous devices.
English revealed that his primary target was Bessent.
English further admitted to law enforcement that he intended to use the vodka bottles, filled with alcohol and fitted with cloth soaked in hand sanitizer, as weapons to “start fires” and possibly stab his intended targets.
U.S. District Judge Rudolf Contreras sentenced English after a guilty plea to two counts related to the attempt to kill Bessent and carrying a dangerous weapon on the grounds of the Capitol on Jan. 27, 2025.
“The offense is very serious,” said Contreras, adding that “Miss English” was concerned with “trans rights” and came to the Capitol with a folding knife and two small Molotov cocktails, “which probably would not have ignited.”
Following the sentencing, Attorney Pirro shared, “My office will not tolerate attempts to intimidate or harm public officials. The attempt to attack Secretary Scott Bessent was an attack on the democratic process itself and is antithetical to the values we all depend on.”
“The defendant is now a convicted felon and is headed where he belongs: prison.”
My office will not tolerate attempts to intimidate or harm public officials. The attempt to attack Secretary Scott Bessent was an attack on the democratic process itself and is antithetical to the values we all depend on. The defendant is now a convicted felon and is headed where… https://t.co/AsCrm0Ns6i
— US Attorney Pirro (@USAttyPirro) August 18, 2026
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