Nicholas Roske Will Plead Guilty To Trying To Kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Court Documents Say

A California man caught with weapons near Justice Kavanaugh’s home in 2022 now plans to plead guilty to attempted assassination without a plea deal, meaning he could face life imprisonment for a politically motivated attack.

Quick Takes

Nicholas John Roske plans to plead guilty to attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh without a plea agreement, which means he could face life in prison.
Roske was arrested in June 2022 near Kavanaugh’s Maryland home with a gun, knife, and zip ties after calling 911 on himself.
His alleged assassination attempt was motivated by a leaked draft opinion suggesting Roe v. Wade would be overturned and fears about gun control after the Uvalde shooting.
The incident led to increased security measures for Supreme Court justices amid heightened political tensions over court decisions.
According to authorities, Roske believed killing a justice could impact Supreme Court decisions “for decades to come.”

From Planned Attack to Guilty Plea

Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley, California has decided to plead guilty to the attempted assassination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in a case that sent shockwaves through the federal judiciary. According to court documents filed Wednesday, Roske will admit to the June 2022 plot without any plea agreement, exposing himself to a potential life sentence. His attorneys have requested a hearing for April 7 in Greenbelt, Maryland, with prosecutors consenting to this arrangement, effectively canceling the trial that was initially scheduled for June 9.

The 26-year-old Roske was arrested on June 8, 2022, near Justice Kavanaugh’s home in Chevy Chase, Maryland. At the time of his apprehension, he was dressed in black and carrying a disturbing arsenal that included a tactical chest rig, a Glock 17 pistol with two magazines and ammunition, a knife, pepper spray, zip ties, and various burglary tools. However, Roske himself reportedly called 911, stating his intention to “kill the Associate Justice and then himself.”

A California man will plead guilty to trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at his home in a suburb of Washington, D.C, nearly three years ago, the defendant’s attorneys says. https://t.co/bbz9gsFb0L

— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 2, 2025

Political Motivations and Extreme Actions

Court documents indicate that Roske’s assassination plot was fueled by his anger over a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion suggesting the court would overturn Roe v. Wade, which it ultimately did. His motivation was also intensified by the May 2022 Uvalde, Texas school shooting, as he feared Kavanaugh would vote to weaken gun control laws.

Authorities reported that Roske believed killing a Supreme Court justice would change the court’s decisions “for decades to come,” showing the calculated political nature of his plan. While his defense attorneys initially considered a mental health evaluation, they ultimately determined Roske was mentally fit to stand trial. The case is now overseen by US District Judge Deborah Boardman after being reassigned from Judge Peter Messitte, who died in January.

Legal Consequences and Broader Implications

Roske could face severe legal consequences for his alleged actions. The charge of attempting to assassinate a Supreme Court justice carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, along with potential fines of up to $250,000 and lifetime supervised release. His decision to a plea without any agreement with prosecutors means he is at the mercy of the court for sentencing, with no guarantees of leniency in exchange for his admission of guilt.

The alleged assassination plot had immediate repercussions for security protocols surrounding Supreme Court justices. Following the incident, Congress quickly passed legislation to enhance security measures for justices and their families. The attack came during a period of intense protests outside the homes of conservative justices after the draft opinion leak regarding Roe v. Wade. These events highlighted the increasingly charged atmosphere surrounding the court as it prepared to issue controversial rulings on abortion rights, gun control, and other divisive issues that have deeply polarized the American public.