A California man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to attempting to assassinate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh in June 2022. Nicholas J. Roske was arrested near the justice’s home in Maryland, found in possession of a pistol, a knife, and other weapons.
Prosecutors stated that Roske was motivated by anger over the 2022 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and believed Justice Kavanaugh would support loosening gun control laws. He was also distressed by a leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion indicating the justices were likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision that established the right to an abortion.
Roske traveled from California to Kavanaugh’s home in Montgomery County, Maryland, carrying a Glock pistol, ammunition, a knife, pepper spray, zip ties, and other equipment. After arriving by taxi around 1 a.m. on June 8, 2022, he called 911 upon seeing two deputy U.S. marshals guarding the residence.
In his call to police, Roske expressed suicidal and homicidal thoughts, admitted to having a gun, and stated his intention to kill Justice Kavanaugh, according to court documents.
On Tuesday, Roske, 29, from Simi Valley, California, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland, to the charge of attempting to assassinate a Supreme Court justice. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison at his sentencing scheduled for October 3, as confirmed by his lawyer.
His lawyer, Andrew Szekely, stated that Roske accepted full responsibility for his actions, highlighting that he sought help by calling 911 during a mental health crisis. Following his call, Roske cooperated with authorities to ensure his safe arrest.
Prosecutors revealed that Roske had developed a plan to assassinate “one or more” Supreme Court justices in the spring of 2022. He conducted online searches for their home addresses and researched methods for breaking into homes and committing murder.
On May 25, 2022, Roske expressed his anger about the potential repeal of Roe v. Wade and gay marriage to an unidentified user on an encrypted messaging app. He later indicated his intent to target multiple justices, stating, “I could get at least one, which would change the votes for decades to come. and I am shooting for 3.”
In the days leading up to the incident, Roske purchased various tools, including a lock-picking tool, tactical gloves, a glass cutter, and a Glock pistol, which he practiced shooting at a firing range. On June 7, 2022, he completed paperwork to fly from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles International Airport with an unloaded gun in his checked baggage.
Upon arriving in Maryland and noticing the marshals outside Kavanaugh’s home, Roske walked away and subsequently called the police, leading to his arrest.
This guilty plea occurs amid increasing threats and intimidation faced by federal judges, particularly following calls from former President Trump and his allies for the removal of judges who have issued rulings counter to their agenda. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. recently issued a statement condemning calls for judicial impeachment.
Recent intimidation attempts against judges have included bomb threats, SWAT team dispatches to judges' homes, and other menacing actions. In response, the federal judiciary has established a task force aimed at helping judges identify and respond to current and emerging risks, as noted in an internal memo.
The memo stated that the task force aims to enhance the security of individual judges and ensure judicial independence.