Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Thursday that he was the target of an assassination attempt by a "left-wing activist" just two hours after being sworn into his position. Bessent cited the incident as evidence that violent political extremism from the left poses a genuine and increasing threat.
Speaking at the State Department's Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism, Bessent responded to critics who had questioned the Trump administration's focus on far-left extremist groups. "I'm going to remind everyone in this room — and all the media — that I was the subject of an assassination attempt by an addled left-wing activist two hours after being sworn into my job," Bessent said. "Any of you who want to report that this is a fiction and does not exist, be there for the sentencing this August."
Bessent appeared to be referring to Ryan Michael English, a 24-year-old Massachusetts resident who pleaded guilty in March to charges related to attempting to assassinate the then-Treasury secretary nominee at the U.S. Capitol. According to the Justice Department, English traveled to Washington on January 27, 2025, carrying a folding knife and two improvised Molotov cocktails. He then approached a U.S. Capitol Police officer and requested to surrender.
Prosecutors reported that English admitted to coming to the Capitol with the intent to kill a Cabinet nominee whose Senate confirmation vote was scheduled for that day, or to burn down a Washington think tank. Investigators also discovered a note in which he allegedly wrote, in part, "This is terrible but I cant do nothing while nazis kill my sisters."
English pleaded guilty in March to one count of unlawful receipt, possession and transfer of a firearm, and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. His sentencing is scheduled for August 14.
Before assuming his role as Treasury Secretary, Bessent worked for Soros Fund Management for several years, serving as its chief investment officer from 2011 to 2015, after previously leading its London office. After leaving the firm, he established Key Square Capital Management with financial backing from George Soros, the billionaire investor and major Democratic donor who has often been a target of criticism from conservatives.
Bessent made his remarks during a State Department summit where officials gathered representatives from approximately 65 countries. The summit was intended to foster international cooperation against what the Trump administration characterizes as a resurgence of violent far-left political terrorism.