- Nicholas Roske, who initially pleaded not guilty to a federal attempted murder charge, has now changed his plea to guilty regarding the plot to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Police arrested him near Kavanaugh’s home with an unloaded gun, ammunition, a knife and zip ties.
- Roske’s plan was influenced by the leaked Supreme Court documents in May 2022, outlining a draft decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and his anger over the Uvalde school shooting.
- After the assassination attempt, U.S. lawmakers passed a bill to provide around-the-clock security for Supreme Court justices.
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A court filing on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, revealed a new plea in the plot to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The man accused of the attempted crime will avoid trial by pleading guilty to his charges, according to a letter from his attorneys.
Nicholas Roske changes plea to guilty in assassination plot
Authorities expected Nicholas Roske‘s trial to start this summer in a Maryland courtroom. However, the 29-year-old’s legal team requested a new hearing to enter a guilty plea as early as next week.
Roske originally pleaded not guilty to a federal attempted murder charge, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Roske has now changed his stance and admits to the facts that federal prosecutors would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt during his trial.
Police arrested Roske near Kavanaugh’s home after he traveled from Los Angeles to Maryland. When police arrested him, they found an unloaded gun, ammunition, a knife and zip ties on him.
Authorities said Roske called 911 and told police he planned to kill the justice, acting on his homicidal and suicidal thoughts.
What led to Roske’s plan to assassinate a Supreme Court Justice?
In May 2022, someone leaked Supreme Court documents outlining a draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case that would overturn Roe v. Wade and end federal abortion rights.
Roske said the leaked documents made him angry with the justices. He said his anger was similar to the protests by pro-choice advocates over the coming decision.
He also told police he was upset about the Uvalde school shooting in Texas and believed Kavanaugh would rule against a New York law restricting gun control.
Bill to enhance security for justices
After the plan to take Kavanaugh’s life, U.S. lawmakers voted to increase security for Supreme Court justices. The House of Representatives passed a bill to provide around-the-clock protection for justices and their families, which President Joe Biden later signed into law.
