Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent disclosed on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that he was the target of an assassination attempt by a "left-wing activist" just two hours after being sworn into office. He cited the incident as evidence of a growing threat from violent political extremism on the left.

Speaking at the State Department's Ministerial on the Resurgence of Political Terrorism, Bessent addressed critics questioning the Trump administration's focus on far-left extremist groups. He stated, "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. 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 man who pleaded guilty in March 2026 to charges related to attempting to assassinate Bessent when he was the Treasury secretary nominee. English was apprehended on December 27, 2025, carrying a folding knife and two improvised Molotov cocktails before approaching Bessent.

Before his tenure as Treasury secretary, Bessent served as chief investment officer at Soros Fund Management from 2011 to 2015 and helped lead its London office.

During the ministerial, which gathered representatives from roughly 65 countries, Bessent emphasized the administration's efforts to build international cooperation against what it describes as a resurgence of violent far-left political terrorism. He also remarked, "It’s all in the hands of the it's all up on Capitol Hill," regarding ongoing legislative matters. Mark Schiefelbein of AP noted, "We have prepared in advance that if the legislation is passed, but we will stick to the law."

Sources