When Justice Becomes a Target: The Chilling Plot to Kill a Supreme Court Justice
What compels someone to aim a bullet at the highest judicial authority in the land? The attempt by Nicholas “Sophie” Roske to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh—and possibly others—answers that question with a mix of obsession,
ideology, and carefully concealed intent. Prosecutors say the plot was no random act, but a meticulously planned act of terror, aimed at reordering the constitutional balance of power.
The Plan Unveiled
Federal filings reveal that over many months, Roske engaged in obsessive research, reconnaissance, and weapon acquisition—all with the stated goal of killing a sitting justice.
He traveled from California to the Washington, D.C. area, carrying a Glock 17, extra magazines, zip ties, duct tape, a crowbar, and tactical gear.
In a 911 call, Roske admitted he came to “kill a specific Supreme Court Justice.”
But his preparation didn’t stop at weapons. He mapped addresses of justices, cleaned data, scoured the internet for instructions on stealth, and even considered targeting three justices to shift the ideological balance of the Court.
When he arrived near Justice Kavanaugh’s Maryland home in the early hours of June 8, 2022, two U.S. Marshals stood guard—and Roske aborted the attempt. He later surrendered after calling his sister and dialing 911.
Ideology, Rage, and Radicalization
Roske’s motivations were political and emotional. He cited outrage over the leaked Supreme Court draft on abortion rights—later realized as the Dobbs draft—and referenced recent mass shootings as inflaming his belief in urgent change.
He openly admitted to discussing “shooting for 3” justices, hoping that eliminating multiple voices would reshape rulings on abortion and gun laws.
Court filings also show Roske has identified as transgender and uses the name Sophie, with defense attorneys asking that female pronouns be used in filings.
Prosecutors, however, emphasize mental health does not excuse the plot’s ideological magnitude.
The Department of Justice is pushing for a minimum 30-year sentence, calling Roske’s plot an attack on the very fabric of judicial independence.
Washington Examiner
How Close Was He? What Stopped Him
The margins between ideation and action were razor thin:
Security presence: U.S. Marshals at Kavanaugh’s residence deterred him.
Self-sabotage: Rather than force entry, Roske hesitated, eventually phoning for help and surrendering.
Law enforcement coordination: The quick response from marshals and local police prevented escalation.
Had any of those deterrents failed, the outcome could have been far worse. The vigilant security detail and Roske’s own hesitation proved decisive.
Implications and Warning Signs
This case raises urgent red flags:
Judiciary as a target
When ideological actors view the Supreme Court as a fortress to be stormed rather than a branch to be influenced, the separation of powers becomes vulnerable.
Digital radicalization and planning
Roske’s plot was born online—through deep dives into forums, step-by-step how-tos, and violent rhetoric. The internet is no longer a background tool, but a battlefield.
Mental health and extremism overlap
While mental illness is cited in defense filings, the ideological clarity and structural planning suggest the danger is not just personal, but systemic.
Security gaps
High-profile targets like justices require constant vigilance—even when existing protocols are in place. As threats increase, reactive measures may not suffice.
Conclusion
Nicholas “Sophie” Roske’s attempt on Justice Kavanaugh’s life was not the act of a lone lunatic, but of a meticulously schemed ideological assault on the judiciary. Though thwarted, the plot exposed the vulnerabilities at the heart of American institutions—and the peril that arises when political anger meets tactical preparation.
The question going forward is whether the country can fortify not only its courts, but its preventive systems: early detection of radicalization, protection of public servants, and a national understanding that the walls of democracy can be assailed not just with words, but with bullets.
If you’d like, I can produce a timeline of Roske’s plot, or write an op-ed exploring how to defend judicial security in an age of domestic terrorism.