Judge sentences would-be Bessent assassin to six years in jail
A transgender woman, riley Jane English (born Ryan Michael English), was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for attempting to assassinate Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. English pleaded guilty to traveling to the U.S. Capitol with a knife and Molotov cocktails in January 2025, intending to harm Bessent during his Senate confirmation. English had initially considered targeting other officials but focused on Bessent. She later turned herself in, expressing remorse and citing mental health issues. Prosecutors sought a 10-year sentence, but the judge imposed 73 months, noting English’s mental health struggles and the failed nature of the plan. English apologized in court, stating her love for her country and family and expressing regret for causing fear. She will also serve three years of supervised release. The U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, emphasized the importance of protecting public officials and democratic processes.
A transgender-identifying woman on Tuesday was sentenced to roughly six years in prison after being accused of attempting to assassinate Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Riley Jane English, a biological male named by the Justice Department as Ryan Michael English, is set to spend 73 months in jail, according to U.S. District Judge Rudolf Contreras, an appointee of former President Barack Obama. English pleaded guilty to traveling from Massachusetts to the U.S. Capitol with a knife and two Molotov cocktails in January 2025.
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U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro celebrated the sentencing, saying her office “will not tolerate attempts to intimidate or harm public officials that strike at the heart of our democratic process and are antithetical to the values we all depend on.”
“The defendant is now a convicted felon and is headed where he belongs: prison,” Pirro said in a statement.
English, 24, ultimately abandoned the plan last year, approaching police at the premises, saying “I’d like to turn myself in,” and telling them “I was going to kill Scott Bessent.”
English also told police that she had been inspired by Luigi Mangione, who is accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors had pushed for the maximum 10-year prison sentence, but Contreras declined, saying the suspect’s plan to kill Bessent “was basically impossible to succeed, and she turned herself in before it came anywhere near fruition.” The judge said “no one was harmed,” and also noted English has mental health issues. English will serve three years of supervised release.
English initially considered other targets, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and the Heritage Foundation, before focusing on Bessent, whose Senate confirmation was taking place that day, according to court filings.
At her sentencing Tuesday, English apologized.
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“I love my country, I love my family, and I live my life; I never wanted to hurt anyone,” English told Contreras. “At times, I can’t explain the mental state that I’m in.”
“I’m sorry for the fear I caused the country and my family,” English added. “I have a lot on my plate with an upcoming surgery. I want a chance to work and start a family of my own. I’m grateful for the opportunity to get sober and get right in my mind.”
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