UPDATE: A California woman has been sentenced to over eight years in prison for attempting to assassinate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. This urgent development comes as Sophie Roske, a transgender woman, was handed a significant prison term by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Greenbelt, Maryland, on September 29, 2023.
The sentence is notably less than the 30 years sought by prosecutors, who argued that Roske’s actions represented an abhorrent form of political violence. Roske, who was arrested on June 8, 2022, was found with a loaded pistol, a knife, zip ties, and burglary tools outside Kavanaugh’s residence in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The incident unfolded just after 1 a.m. when she was dropped off by a taxi.
After spotting two U.S. Marshals guarding the home, Roske called her sister and then dialed 911, revealing her suicidal and homicidal thoughts. Judge Boardman noted that law enforcement only learned of Roske’s intentions due to her self-reporting, calling her actions “reprehensible” but crediting her for abandoning the plot before anyone was harmed.
In her emotional statement before sentencing, Roske expressed remorse for the distress caused to Kavanaugh and his family. “I have been portrayed as a monster,” she stated, acknowledging the tragic consequences of her actions. The judge emphasized the human aspect of the case, stating, “He’s a justice of the Supreme Court, but he’s a human being.”
Roske’s motivations stemmed from anger over a leaked draft opinion indicating the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade, along with frustrations over gun control following the Uvalde school shooting. In encrypted messages, she expressed her intent to target Kavanaugh and other justices, indicating that killing one could shift Supreme Court decisions “for decades to come.”
The case highlights a troubling trend: threats against federal judges have surged, with incidents increasing from 926 in 2015 to 4,511 in 2021, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Roske’s case reflects the growing threat of political violence in a polarized climate, where individuals are resorting to extreme measures to express dissent.
Roske, now 29 years old, pleaded guilty to attempted assassination without a plea deal. Her defense team cited her struggles with mental illness and gender identity, suggesting that her actions were rooted in isolation and untreated psychological issues. They argued for leniency, highlighting her remorse and the fact that she did not follow through on her violent intentions.
Prosecutors firmly rejected the notion that mental illness could mitigate her actions, underscoring the need for a sentence that sends a strong message against such behavior. “The sentence here must forcefully convey…that taking matters into one’s own hands as the judge, jury, and executioner is wholly condemned,” they stated.
Roske’s parents also apologized to Kavanaugh during the hearing, with her father expressing regret for not providing better support amid her struggles. This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for mental health awareness and the dangers posed by political extremism.
As the legal proceedings conclude, the focus will shift to ongoing discussions about political violence and mental health in America. The impact of Roske’s actions and the subsequent sentence will likely resonate in the judicial community and beyond, raising questions about the safety of public officials in an increasingly volatile environment.