Department of Justice Moves Forward with Trial for Kavanaugh Assassination Plotter

The Department of Justice is advancing with the trial of Nicholas John Roske, who is accused of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in June 2022. Federal prosecutors announced on Friday that they have not reached a pretrial agreement with Roske's defense team, prompting the government to request the court to establish dates for motions and the trial. This marks a significant development in the case after more than a year of inactivity. Roske, who was 26 at the time of his arrest, was apprehended near Kavanaugh's Maryland residence with a firearm and other tactical gear. He had called 911 on himself, expressing suicidal thoughts and revealing his intentions to kill a Supreme Court justice. Federal affidavits indicate that Roske traveled from California with the specific aim of targeting Kavanaugh, although he had also mentioned plans to attack additional justices online. Motivated by anger over the Uvalde school shooting and the leaked decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Roske allegedly sought to influence the Supreme Court's future decisions on critical issues such as abortion and gun control. His online discussions revealed a desire to change the court's balance by removing justices, with Roske stating that killing "at least one" justice would have long-lasting effects on the court's rulings. Roske's premeditated actions are underscored by his online searches for assassination methods and tactics prior to his arrest. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in Maryland for the attempted murder of Kavanaugh, marking a notable moment in a series of threats against Supreme Court justices, including a recent incident involving Justice Sonia Sotomayor.