Raleigh Jane English, 25, of South Deerfield, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to six years in prison for plotting to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the sentence on Tuesday.
English was arrested on January 27, 2025, outside the U.S. Capitol after telling a police officer, "I was going to kill Scott Bessent." At the time of her arrest, English was carrying a folding knife and two Molotov cocktails.
Federal records identify English also as Ryan Michael English. She pleaded guilty on March 26 to unlawful receipt, possession or transfer of a firearm, and carrying a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
According to the Justice Department, English traveled from Massachusetts to Washington D.C. with the intention of assassinating a government official and setting fire to a think tank. She reportedly chose Bessent because he was being confirmed by the Senate as Treasury Secretary on the same day she was arrested.
English told investigators that she was inspired by Luigi Mangione, who had previously killed a health insurance executive in New York City.
"My 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," Pirro stated. "The defendant is now a convicted felon and is headed where he belongs: prison."