Nicholas John Roske To Plead Guilty in Alleged Assassination Plot

Nicholas John Roske is set to plead guilty in an alleged plot to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, according to recent court documents.

Key Insights

Nicholas John Roske plans to admit guilt in attempting to assassinate Justice Kavanaugh.
Roske was armed and arrested near Kavanaugh’s Maryland home in June 2022.
Authorities say he was motivated by the leaked draft opinion regarding the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade along with concerns about the court’s stance on gun laws.
The situation demanded increased security measures for Supreme Court justices.

Roske To Plead Guilty

Nicholas John Roske is poised to plead guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, per court documents. Roske, from California, allegedly traveled to Maryland in June 2022 with the intent to kill Kavanaugh. The arrest took place near the Justice’s home, where Roske was found in possession of a gun, knife, and zip ties.

Roske’s attorneys confirmed that he will plead guilty, acknowledging the steps he took to fulfill his plans. Without a plea deal, Roske faces a charge that carries a potential life sentence. His alleged actions were reportedly spurred by the leak of a Supreme Court draft concerning Roe v. Wade along with concerns that Kavanaugh would vote against gun control in the wake of the Uvalde shooting.

Man who had gun and knife will plead guilty to trying to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh https://t.co/q0AHWetMm0

— Courthouse News (@CourthouseNews) April 2, 2025

The 911 Call

According to authorities, Roske arrived near Kavanaugh’s home by taxi and began to walk away. Eventually, he reportedly called 911 and revealed he wanted to take his own life. At the time, according to a court document, he disclosed to the dispatcher that he had weapons and burglary tools and later revealed to police that he had planned to kill Justice Kavanaugh and then himself.

The maximum sentence for his charges includes life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and the possibility of lifetime supervised release. Initially, a trial was set for June, but a hearing for the guilty plea is now requested for April 7 in Greenbelt, Maryland, with the prosecution in agreement.

Implications for Security and Justice

Following Roske’s arrest, security increased for Supreme Court justices and their families. The plot underscores the fragile nature of judicial independence and safety in the face of politically motivated threats and violence. Prosecutors have consented to the planned guilty plea hearing.