WASHINGTON, DC. (THECOUNT) — Ryan Michael English, also known as, Riley Jane English, has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for crimes connected to an attempted assassination plot targeting Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
English traveled to Washington, D.C., carrying a folding knife and two improvised Molotov cocktails before surrendering to U.S. Capitol Police, federal prosecutors said.
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The case drew national attention because the alleged plot unfolded just hours after Bessent was sworn in as Treasury secretary. Bessent previously cited the incident as an example of what he described as a growing threat from violent left-wing extremism.
According to prosecutors, English arrived in Washington with the stated intention of confronting Bessent and carried incendiary devices and a knife during the attempted attack. English ultimately surrendered to police rather than carrying out the planned attack.
The Justice Department said English was convicted of federal offenses stemming from the incident and was sentenced to six years in federal prison.
BREAKING: A transgender defendant convicted of crimes connected to an attempted assassination of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been sentenced to 6 years in federal prison.
Bessent previously said the plot unfolded just two hours after he was sworn into office, citing the… pic.twitter.com/tEu3nPn9iP
— Mr Pool 1.0 (@MrPoolHQ) August 18, 2026
Bessent, who became Treasury secretary during President Donald Trump’s administration, previously discussed the incident publicly, emphasizing the timing of the alleged plot just two hours after he had taken the oath of office.
The case has become part of a broader national debate over political violence and threats against government officials. Federal authorities have increasingly emphasized the dangers posed by individuals who seek to use violence or threats to advance political or ideological objectives.
English identifies as transgender. That aspect of English’s identity was noted in coverage of the case but was not itself connected to the criminal allegations or the federal charges.
The attempted attack did not result in physical injury to Bessent. English’s surrender to U.S. Capitol Police brought the incident to an end before the alleged plan could be carried out.
The six-year federal sentence represents the criminal penalty imposed following English’s conviction for the offenses arising from the Washington incident.
The case also highlights the security challenges facing senior federal officials, particularly Cabinet members and other government leaders who can become targets because of their positions.
Editor’s note; Featured image enhanced for clarity.
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