Transgender would-be assassin of Bessent sentenced

A transgender woman identified as Ryan Michael English was sentenced to 73 months in federal prison for an assassination plot against Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, after traveling from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., with a folding knife, a lighter, and two Molotov cocktails. English admitted to planning to kill Bessent or burn down a conservative think tank, and police found a note expressing remorse for the plotted violence. The investigation showed English initially targeted other officials before focusing on Bessent when his confirmation was televised, with prosecutors noting the defendant was inspired by Luigi Mangione. English pleaded guilty in March to unlawful firearm possession and carrying a firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive or incendiary device on Capitol grounds, with sentencing taking place in August. Media reports and statements from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized that threats against public officials will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, reflecting ongoing concerns about political violence.