Nicholas Roske, the individual who attempted to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, has been sentenced to 97 months—just over eight years—in prison for his plot to kill a sitting justice. The case has sparked widespread controversy, particularly after Judge Deborah Boardman, a Biden appointee, cited Roske’s transgender identity as a factor in reducing the sentence far below federal guidelines.
Roske, who now identifies as a woman and uses the name Sophie, pleaded guilty in April 2023 to one charge of attempting to murder a Supreme Court justice, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. During the sentencing hearing, Boardman acknowledged Roske’s actions as an act of terrorism but emphasized concerns about the treatment of transgender inmates under President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting gender-affirming care in federal prisons.
The judge noted that Roske had traveled from California to Virginia in June 2022, armed with a pistol, knife, lock-picking tools, duct tape, and other equipment, intending to attack Kavanaugh. Online searches revealed premeditated interest in harming justices, mass shootings, and graphic violence, including queries about inflicting maximum damage with a knife. Roske also expressed opposition to the Supreme Court’s anticipated Dobbs decision, which would overturn federal abortion rights.
Despite the severity of the plot, Boardman argued that Roske’s self-reporting to police after approaching Kavanaugh’s residence—before being apprehended—warranted leniency. “This is an atypical defendant and an atypical case,” she stated, highlighting Roske’s admission of guilt and decision to surrender without being caught. However, the judge acknowledged the “real harm” caused to Kavanaugh and his family, calling the crime intolerable.
Roske, appearing in a yellow jail uniform, described the incident as a “tragic mistake” driven by a mental health crisis. Her defense attorneys confirmed she now uses female pronouns and the name Sophie, though prosecutors avoided referencing her gender identity during the hearing. Boardman’s decision to consider Roske’s transgender status has drawn sharp criticism, with critics arguing it sets a dangerous precedent for criminal accountability.
The case raises questions about the balance between justice and legal protections for individuals who claim transgender identities, as well as the broader implications for political violence and sentencing disparities.