Massachusetts Woman Gets Six Years for Plot to Assassinate Treasury Secretary

A 26-year-old transgender woman from Massachusetts has b…

A 26-year-old transgender woman from Massachusetts has been sentenced to over six years in federal prison for plotting to kill Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Riley English admitted to authorities that she had driven to Washington, D.C., in January 2025 with homemade incendiary devices, intending to assassinate Bessent on the day of his Senate confirmation hearing.

During her sentencing on Tuesday, English described herself as being in the throes of a severe mental health crisis and struggling with substance abuse at the time of the incident. She told the court that she had no clear memory of the event and expressed remorse for her actions, which she attributed to a period of profound personal turmoil.

Prosecutors, however, argued that English's actions were premeditated and dangerous, noting that she had traveled from Massachusetts to the Capitol with the explicit intent to harm a high-ranking government official. The homemade firebombs she carried were described as viable and potentially lethal, raising alarms about the severity of the threat.

The case has drawn attention to the intersection

The case has drawn attention to the intersection of mental health, substance abuse, and political violence, with defense attorneys highlighting English's need for treatment rather than punishment. In her plea for leniency, English emphasized her ongoing recovery and commitment to mental health care, asking the judge for a chance to rebuild her life.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, who presided over the case, acknowledged English's mental health struggles but stressed the seriousness of the offense, noting that threats against public officials undermine democratic processes. The sentence, which includes time served and supervised release, aims to balance accountability with opportunities for rehabilitation.

English will be eligible for early release with good behavior, and her legal team has indicated that they will continue to advocate for her mental health support while incarcerated. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the nation's political leaders and the ongoing need for robust security measures.