Recent court documents reveal that Nicholas John Roske, who admitted to trying to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, now identifies as a transgender woman named Sophie Roske. This information comes as Roske awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to the attempted assassination.
In June 2022, Roske was arrested near Justice Kavanaugh’s home in Maryland. Authorities found him with a gun, ammunition, and other tools that suggested he planned to attack the Justice. Roske told investigators he was upset about the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade and intended to kill Kavanaugh.
Federal prosecutors are asking for a sentence of at least 30 years. They emphasize that any threat to a judge is a serious crime that must be punished severely to protect the judicial system.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has called Roske a “disturbed individual,” describing the plot as political violence and an attack on the judicial system that cannot be ignored.
News reports indicate Roske was using female identities online before the assassination attempt. Evidence suggests he researched ways to kill someone quietly and looked into countries that might not extradite him to the U.S. In online chats, Roske said he was considering suicide but wanted to do something positive by stopping Kavanaugh from overturning Roe v. Wade.
When arrested, Roske admitted he bought the gun to kill Kavanaugh and then himself. He told detectives his sister convinced him to call 911 before carrying out the attack.
Prosecutors say Roske targeted multiple justices and bought weapons after their addresses were posted online during protests. He researched whether the Secret Service protects Supreme Court justices and studied photos of Kavanaugh’s home.
The leak of the draft Dobbs decision in May 2022 led to widespread protests, including outside the homes of conservative justices. This prompted increased security measures. The source of the leak remains unknown.
Court records show Roske began researching weapons and assassination tactics in March 2022. His searches included topics like “quietest semi auto rifle,” “how to break glass quietly,” and “how to make handcuffs with zip ties.” By April, he was watching videos of mass shootings and school shooters, and researching silencers for Glock pistols and where snipers aim.
Prosecutors revealed that Roske searched for body armor 28 times after the Supreme Court leak and made over 90 firearms-related searches in the weeks leading up to his arrest. He also researched insanity defenses, including what happens if someone is suicidal in prison or hospitalized after committing a crime.
This case has largely disappeared from public discussion since 2022. This recent filing marks the first public acknowledgment that Roske now identifies as transgender.
This revelation comes amid growing concerns from some conservative groups about violence linked to individuals who identify as transgender. Some groups are urging the FBI to classify “Transgender Ideology Violent Extremism” as a domestic threat.
Additionally, there have been discussions within the Justice Department about potentially restricting gun access for individuals with gender dysphoria, considering it a mental disorder that could pose a risk for violence.
Prosecutors have stated that Roske’s planned attack was an attempt to “single-handedly alter the Constitutional order for ideological ends.” His sentencing is expected later this year.
Recent shootings involving individuals with transgender ties have also drawn attention, though the circumstances vary. These events have sparked debate about the role of ideology and mental health in violent acts.
