In a disturbing case that has raised national attention, a Massachusetts woman named Ryan Michael English, who also goes by Riley English, was arrested after allegedly traveling to Washington, D.C., with plans to kill members of former President Donald Trump’s cabinet. Prosecutors claim that English, 24, from South Deerfield, Massachusetts, was heavily influenced by Luigi Mangione, the man charged with the fatal shooting of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare.
What Led to the Arrest?
English was arrested on Monday and appeared in court on Thursday, where she did not challenge her pretrial detention. According to court filings, English approached police officers at the U.S. Capitol and openly admitted that she had come with the intent to kill billionaire investor Scott Bessent. This occurred on the same day Bessent was confirmed as Trump’s treasury secretary.
When officers searched English, they found a folding knife, two homemade firebombs, and a lighter. Despite the dangerous items found in her possession, her defense attorney claims she never brandished them as weapons and willingly cooperated with law enforcement.
The Alleged Influence of Luigi Mangione
Prosecutors revealed that English claimed she was inspired by Luigi Mangione, who is facing murder and terrorism charges in New York for the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. English allegedly told police she had been “thinking about this for a while” because of Mangione’s actions.
Interestingly, English seemed to wrestle with the consequences of such violent behavior, reportedly saying, “I pushed that away because I was thinking like that is so stupid, that accomplishes nothing, that poor kid just threw his life away for like a minute of vengeance.” Despite these conflicting thoughts, she proceeded with her plans.
Targeted Political Figures and Institutions
While English initially planned to target Bessent, her intentions were reportedly much broader. According to investigators, she had also considered attacking other prominent Republican figures, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson. She even expressed a desire to burn down the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Police believe English changed her primary target after reading an online post about Bessent’s confirmation hearing.
Defense Argument: A Cry for Help
English’s defense attorney, Maria Jacob, painted a very different picture of her client. Jacob claimed that English was not aggressive when she approached Capitol police and did not intend to harm anyone. Instead, Jacob argued that English’s actions were “a cry for help.”
“She was not aggressive when she approached the Capitol Police Officers. She never brandished any of the items as weapons and assisted police to retrieve the items on her person immediately,” Jacob wrote in her defense statement.
English also told officers she was terminally ill and wanted to “do something before I go,” suggesting that her mental and emotional state may have played a role in her actions.
Premeditation vs. Mental Health Concerns
Prosecutors strongly argue that this was not a spur-of-the-moment decision but rather a premeditated and calculated plan to commit acts of violence. In contrast, the defense maintains that English was struggling emotionally and mentally, seeking attention rather than intending real harm.
This case highlights the complex intersection between mental health issues and criminal behavior. While English’s possession of dangerous weapons and her stated intentions are undeniably serious, her defense raises questions about her mental state and whether she genuinely posed a threat to others.
The case of Ryan Michael English continues to unfold, shedding light on the potential influence of extremist figures, the mental health struggles behind violent intentions, and the challenges law enforcement faces in identifying credible threats. As both federal and local authorities investigate further, English remains in custody, facing serious charges that could result in significant legal consequences.
