Kavanaugh would-be assassin identified as transgender woman in court filings; prosecutors seek long sentence
Defense says the defendant now identifies as Sophie Roske and will be referred to with female pronouns; DOJ seeks at least 30 years for the plot to kill a sitting Supreme Court justice
Federal prosecutors disclosed in court filings that the would-be assassin of Justice Brett Kavanaugh now identifies as a transgender woman and should be referred to by the name Sophie Roske by defense lawyers. The 29-year-old Nicholas John Roske pleaded guilty in April to attempting to kill Kavanaugh and was arrested outside the justice’s Maryland home in June 2022. He was found carrying a Glock 17 handgun, ammunition, a tactical light, zip ties, pepper spray and burglary tools. Investigators said he planned to kill the justice after the Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v Wade was leaked.
In the filings, Roske’s public defenders say they will refer to their client with female pronouns out of respect, even though Roske has not requested a legal change. Prosecutors at the U.S. District Court in Maryland said the sentence must be at least 30 years, arguing that an attack on a sitting judge requires a strong, unequivocal response. They added that the case demonstrates a deliberate attempt to disrupt the judiciary, and they viewed the conduct as a significant threat to the integrity of the court system. Attorney General Pam Bondi described Roske as a disturbed individual and called the plot political violence.
Court records show Roske conducted extensive online research before the June 2022 stop outside Kavanaugh’s home. Investigators said he searched for terms such as the quietest semi-automatic rifle, the most effective way to kill quietly and whether gangs or other countries would extradite to the United States. In Discord chats, Roske acknowledged suicidal thoughts but said he wanted to do something to stop the Supreme Court from overturning Roe. He asked friends whether eliminating justices would help women in the long term and expressed anger at the Roe and gay marriage rulings. When confronted by police, he admitted buying the gun with the intent to use it and told investigators that his sister urged him to call 911 before taking any action.
Prosecutors traveled from California to Dulles International Airport and then to Kavanaugh’s neighborhood, using publicly available material that identified the home and surrounding details. They noted that Roske’s weapon, gear and travel were planned in the weeks after protests at the homes of conservative justices intensified following the May 2022 leak of a draft Dobbs decision. The leak triggered security upgrades at several justices’ residences, though authorities have not identified the leak source.
The filing comes amid broader political debate over violence and extremism amid cases involving people asserting transgender identities. The Oversight Project, a conservative watchdog group, has urged the FBI to classify Transgender Ideology Violent Extremism as a domestic threat, arguing that some cases point to links between gender identity issues and violence. Roske’s case has been cited in that debate, though investigators have not found a direct connection between Roske’s actions and any ideological motive tied to gender identity.
Separately, prosecutors highlighted recent high-profile shootings with transgender ties being reported in the media landscape. They referenced the killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk by a 22-year-old in Utah, noting that the alleged shooter there was not transgender, while a partner who was transitioning drew media attention. In another incident, a transgender woman named Robin Westman carried out a deadly shooting at a Minneapolis-area church, leaving two children dead and many parishioners injured; Westman died by suicide at the scene. These cases illustrate the contentious national debate over gender identity and violence, though investigators stress each case has distinct facts.
Roske’s sentencing is expected later this year as prosecutors prepare to seek a sentence of at least 30 years behind bars. The case remains on track for a formal sentencing date in the Maryland federal court, where the defendant already pleaded guilty to attempted murder. The court filings also noted that Roske’s identity as a transgender woman had not previously been publicly disclosed before the latest submissions.
Roske’s case has drawn renewed attention to the security posture around the Supreme Court and to how authorities handle threats against justices. It also underscores ongoing tensions in U.S. politics following the Dobbs decision and the broader debate over extremism, mental health and access to firearms. The court and Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment Friday.
