New Details Come To Light as Justice Kavanaugh Assassination Attempt Case Unfolds

New information has been revealed in the case of Nicholas Roske, accused of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, amid attempts by his attorneys to have key evidence tossed out.

At a Glance

Nicholas Roske’s trial for allegedly attempting to assassinate Justice Kavanaugh begins June 9, 2025
Roske’s defense claims his rights were violated during arrest and evidence collection and seeks to have some evidence thrown out.
The alleged assassination plot was motivated by a leaked draft opinion on abortion rights, according to a statement by Roske to investigators.
Roske’s mental state at the time of arrest is a key factor in his defense strategy

Alleged Assassination Plot Unfolds

Nicholas John Roske, 28, is facing a felony charge for allegedly attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The trial, set to begin on June 9, 2025, in a Maryland U.S. District Court, stems from events that unfolded in June 2022. Roske allegedly traveled from California to Maryland with the intention of killing Justice Kavanaugh, motivated by a leaked draft opinion suggesting the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade.

According to court documents, Roske’s plot, which he allegedly planned for a month, involved breaking into Kavanaugh’s home, killing the Justice, and then taking his own life. The gravity of the situation has raised concerns about the safety of public officials and the impact of leaked judicial documents.

Defense Strategy and Rights Violations Claims

Roske’s defense team has filed motions to suppress key evidence, including statements made during his arrest and items found during a warrantless search. They argue that Roske was not properly informed of his Miranda rights and was in a compromised mental state at the time of his arrest.

In court documents, new details have been released, including comments that Roske reportedly made to investigators. “My plan was to kill Mr. Kavanaugh and then myself,” Roske allegedly said.

The defense claims that Roske was “actively suicidal” during his arrest, which they argue affected his ability to consent to give statements. This assertion is supported by Roske’s history of psychiatric holds and a medical condition requiring medication.

Motivations Behind the Alleged Plot

The leaked draft opinion that reportedly motivated Roske’s actions indicated the Supreme Court’s intention to overturn Roe v. Wade, potentially returning abortion policy authority to individual states. This leak led to significant protests and, allegedly, Roske’s assassination attempt.

“I’ve been suicidal for a long time, and when I saw that the leaked draft, it made me upset and then it made me want to — I don’t know. I was under the — I was under the delusion that I could make the world a better place by killing him,” Roske stated, according to court documents.

Roske’s concerns extended beyond abortion rights to potential Supreme Court decisions on gun restrictions. An FBI affidavit revealed that Roske believed the Conservative justices would make decisions to loosen laws related to gun control.

Legal and Political Implications

The case has highlighted the broader implications of leaked judicial documents and their potential to incite violence. The Supreme Court couldn’t find the source of the leaked draft opinion in its investigation, raising questions about the security of sensitive legal proceedings.

The incident has also sparked debate about the security of Supreme Court Justices and the balance between public protest and personal safety. The Biden administration faced criticism for allowing protests at Kavanaugh’s house, despite federal laws prohibiting such actions.

As the trial date approaches, the case continues to draw attention to the intersection of mental health, civil rights, and the protection of public officials in an increasingly polarized political climate.