Trump Official Addresses Assassination Threats Post-sworn in

WHO:

Newsweek - Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary, was the target of an assassination attempt.

Fox News - Ryan Michael English, a 24-year-old Massachusetts man, pleaded guilty to charges related to the assassination attempt.

WHAT:

Newsweek - Bessent issued a public reminder about being the target of an assassination attempt amid rising political violence.

Fox News - Bessent stated he was targeted by a "left-wing activist" just two hours after being sworn into office.

Fox News - English pleaded guilty 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.

Fox News - English is scheduled to be sentenced on August 14.

WHERE:

Fox News - The assassination attempt occurred at the U.S. Capitol.

WHEN:

Fox News - English traveled to Washington on January 27, 2025, intending to kill a Cabinet nominee.

Fox News - Bessent made his remarks during a State Department summit.

WHY:

Fox News - Bessent cited the assassination attempt as evidence of a real and growing threat from violent political extremism from the left.

HOW:

Fox News - English approached a U.S. Capitol Police officer carrying a folding knife and two improvised Molotov cocktails, asking to turn himself in.

(UPDATED July 17, 2026 01:26 UTC)

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was the target of an assassination attempt at the U.S. Capitol, which he described as evidence of a growing threat from violent political extremism. Ryan Michael English, a 24-year-old man from Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to charges related to this incident, including unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds. English is set to be sentenced on August 14 after he traveled to Washington on January 27, 2025, with intentions to kill a Cabinet nominee.