A Massachusetts woman was sentenced Tuesday to just over six years in prison for bringing homemade firebombs to the U.S. Capitol with the intent to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Riley English, 26, was arrested in January 2025 after informing Capitol police of her intentions. She told the court she was experiencing a mental health crisis and abusing drugs at the time of the incident. "I never wanted to hurt anyone," English stated to U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras. "I’m not a political person. I’m not a violent person."

Judge Contreras sentenced English to six years and one month of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. She will receive credit for the nearly 20 months she has already spent in custody. Contreras noted that her plan had an "exceedingly low or non-existent" chance of success, as Bessent was not at the Capitol on Jan. 27, 2025, and the firebombs appeared incapable of igniting.

Prosecutors had sought a 10-year sentence, describing the plot as an "attempted political assassination" occurring amid rising political violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan Horan argued that the act was planned and not impulsive.

English's defense attorney, Maria Jacob, argued that English was in a "diminished mental state" and that her actions were a "cry for help," influenced by fears surrounding transgender rights under a potential second Trump administration. Jacob stated English was "terrified and traumatized."

Investigators found a folding knife, two homemade firebombs, and a lighter in English's possession. She told police she was influenced by Luigi Mangione, a man charged in the fatal shooting of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. English also mentioned being terminally ill and wanting to "do something before I go."

Authorities also reported that English had intended to target other Republican figures, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and House Speaker Mike Johnson, and to set fire to the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank. She reportedly changed her primary target to Bessent after seeing an internet post about his confirmation hearing.

"There was no indication that she was acting rationally that day," the judge said.