Nicholas Roske, who orchestrated a plot to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, has been sentenced to nearly eight years in federal prison.
The sentence, handed down by Judge Deborah Boardman, a Biden appointee, was announced by the Department of Justice's Office of Public Affairs. Roske, who now identifies as a transgender female named Sophie, received a 97-month prison term.
According to Breitbart, Judge Boardman considered Roske's transgender identity when determining the sentence. Following his release, Roske will be subjected to a lifetime of supervised release, a measure reflecting the gravity of his actions. The case has drawn significant attention, with Attorney General Pam Bondi expressing dissatisfaction with the sentence.
"The attempted assassination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was a disgusting attack against our entire judicial system by a profoundly disturbed individual," Bondi stated. She further emphasized the Department of Justice's intention to appeal the sentence, deeming it insufficient given the severity of the crime.
Breitbart News highlighted that documents obtained by the Daily Wire revealed Roske's identification as a transgender woman and his struggles with mental illness and suicidal tendencies. A source familiar with the legal proceedings indicated that Roske had allegedly adopted female identities online prior to the attempted murder.
This aspect of Roske's identity was reportedly a factor in the court's sentencing decision.
In April 2025, the Department of Justice confirmed Roske's guilty plea to charges of attempting to kill Justice Kavanaugh. As part of the plea, Roske admitted to traveling from Los Angeles to Maryland with a firearm and ammunition, intending to carry out the assassination. This premeditated act underscores the calculated nature of the crime.
Breitbart News Senior Editor-at-Large Joel Pollak reported that Roske's actions were motivated by the leak of a draft opinion related to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. This revelation sheds light on the broader implications of politically charged judicial decisions and their potential to incite extreme actions.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the judicial system against such threats.
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