Nicholas Roske, a California man who plotted to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, has agreed to plead guilty to attempted murder charges that could result in a life sentence.
Key Takeaways
- Nicholas Roske, 26, from Simi Valley, California, will plead guilty to the attempted assassination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
- Roske traveled from California to Kavanaugh’s Maryland home in June 2022 armed with a gun, knife, crowbar, and zip ties but called 911 on himself before carrying out the plot.
- His motivation stemmed from anger over the leaked draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and concerns about Kavanaugh’s potential stance on gun control following the Uvalde school shooting.
- Roske faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release.
- A hearing is scheduled for April 7 or 8 in Greenbelt, Maryland, for Roske to formally enter his guilty plea.
Assassination Plot Details Emerge
Nicholas Roske, who was 26 at the time of his June 2022 arrest, will admit to traveling across the country from Simi Valley, California, to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s Maryland residence with the explicit intent to kill him. According to court documents, Roske arrived at Kavanaugh’s home dressed in black and heavily armed with a tactical knife, a Glock 17 pistol with two magazines, a crowbar, zip ties, pepper spray, and other items that suggested a carefully planned attack.
Roske’s attorneys, Andrew Szekely and Ellie Marranzini, confirmed his intention to plead guilty in a letter to Judge Deborah Bordman. The change of heart comes nearly three years after the initial incident, with Roske now agreeing to plead guilty to the one-count indictment against him without a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. His formal plea hearing is expected to take place on April 7 or 8 in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Nicholas Roske of California intends to plead guilty to federal criminal charge in connection with the 2022 attempted assassination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in Maryland
According to new court filing, a plea agreement hearing could happen as early as Monday
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) April 2, 2025
Self-Reported Threat and Immediate Arrest
What makes this case particularly unusual is that Roske himself prevented the assassination from occurring. After arriving near Kavanaugh’s home in the early morning hours of June 8, 2022, Roske experienced a change of heart. He called his sister, who convinced him to contact authorities. Roske then called 911 on himself, admitting to dispatchers that he was having suicidal and homicidal thoughts and intended “to act on them.”
“We write to inform the Court that Mr. Roske wishes to plead guilty to the one-count Indictment pending against him,” wrote Roske’s public defenders, Andrew Szekely and Ellie Marranzini.
When police arrived, they found Roske a block from Kavanaugh’s home with his arsenal of weapons. He immediately surrendered and cooperated with authorities, telling them he had traveled from California specifically to kill the Supreme Court Justice. Court documents indicate that Roske told police he wanted to “make the world a better place” through his planned attack, highlighting the politically motivated nature of his actions.
Political Motivations Behind the Plot
Roske’s assassination attempt came during a particularly heated political moment in the nation. The leaked draft Supreme Court opinion that would eventually overturn Roe v. Wade had been published just weeks before, sparking nationwide protests. Additionally, the Uvalde, Texas school shooting had just occurred, raising questions about potential Supreme Court rulings on gun control legislation under the Trump administration.
According to investigators, Roske told police he was specifically upset about the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade and feared that Kavanaugh would vote to loosen gun control laws. Court documents reveal that Roske believed killing a Supreme Court Justice could change the court’s decisions for decades to come, highlighting the calculation behind his failed plot. The case underscores ongoing concerns about the safety of public officials amid increasing political polarization.
Sources:
- Calif. Man To Plead Guilty In Assassination Attempt Of Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh
- Man to plead guilty to attempted assassination of US Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh | Reuters
- California man to plead guilty to attempted assassination of Justice Kavanaugh
- Man who had gun and knife will plead guilty to trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh
