Kathmandu— Ryan Michael English, who identifies as Raleigh Jane English, was sentenced to six years and one month in prison Tuesday for plotting to kill US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. English traveled to Washington, D.C., in January 2025 with a folding knife, two Molotov cocktails, and a lighter, intending to either assassinate a Cabinet nominee or burn down a think tank. She turned herself in to police outside the Capitol building and confessed to the plot, citing concerns over ‘trans rights’.

Details of the Plot

According to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, English was found with the weapons in her jacket pockets on January 27, 2025. A note discovered in her possession referenced a desire to act against perceived ‘nazis’ harming transgender individuals and apologized for lying and plotting. Judge Rudolph Contreras noted that the plan had little chance of success and that English surrendered before any harm could occur.

Prosecution Rejects Lighter Sentence

During sentencing, defense arguments characterized English as a traumatized transgender woman. However, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro rejected calls for leniency, stating her 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.”

Pattern of Attacks on Public Figures

The sentencing comes amid a recent surge in attacks targeting prominent figures. Police investigators noted English’s inspiration from Luigi Mangione, who pleaded guilty to stalking and causing the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024. Other incidents include the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September, multiple attempts on President Donald Trump's life, and attacks on Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband, a state senator and his wife, as well as an arson attack targeting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

The sentencing of English underscores heightened security concerns surrounding public officials and reflects a broader trend of politically motivated violence in the United States.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.