Nicholas Roske, Man Who Attempted to Assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Now Identifies as Transgender as Sentencing Nears
The story of Nicholas John Roske has returned to the headlines, more than three years after his arrest outside the Maryland home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. In June 2022, Roske was taken into custody after arriving at Kavanaugh’s residence armed with a gun, ammunition, and burglary tools. Authorities said he had come with the intention of killing the Justice, a shocking revelation that rattled the country at a time when emotions were already running high over controversial rulings from the Court. Now, as Roske’s sentencing date approaches, a new development has emerged. According to recent court filings, Roske has informed the court that she identifies as transgender and is now using the name Sophie Roske.
The filings, made public on September 19, 2025, revealed that Roske’s legal team is requesting that she be referred to by her chosen name and female pronouns in court proceedings. Attorneys presented evidence including past online usernames such as “Sophie42,” pointing to records from 2022 showing Roske had begun identifying with a female identity even before the attack on Kavanaugh. While the official case caption remains “United States v. Nicholas John Roske,” the defense has asked that the court respect her current gender identity.
This revelation comes just weeks before Roske’s sentencing hearing, scheduled for October 3. Prosecutors with the Department of Justice are asking for a 30-year prison sentence, arguing that the attempted assassination of a sitting Supreme Court Justice is one of the gravest crimes imaginable, one that could have thrown the country into chaos had it succeeded. They say the evidence is overwhelming, from the weapons found in Roske’s possession to the online messages in which she allegedly expressed anger over the Court’s decisions. The government’s argument is that the severity of the crime requires the maximum possible punishment.
The defense, while not denying the seriousness of the events, has raised issues related to Roske’s mental health, her identity, and her state of mind at the time. They argue that she was experiencing deep psychological struggles and that her gender identity journey is part of that context. Whether this will have any impact on sentencing is uncertain, but it has become part of the record, adding another layer of complexity to an already extraordinary case.
The attempted assassination of Justice Kavanaugh was a chilling reminder of how fragile the safety of public officials can be. Coming in the wake of heated debates about the Court’s decisions on abortion and other divisive issues, the incident underscored the dangers of political violence in an era of deep national division. For weeks after the arrest, security around Supreme Court Justices was increased, and lawmakers on both sides condemned the threat. Even today, the case is remembered as a turning point in how seriously the country takes threats against members of the judiciary.
Now the case is back in focus, not just because sentencing is near, but because of the new identity Roske has chosen. The revelation has sparked strong reactions. Some see it as an attempt to influence how the court perceives her, while others say it reflects a deeper personal truth that has finally come to light. Regardless of public opinion, the fact remains that Roske will soon face justice for what she did, and the outcome of the sentencing will set a precedent for how seriously the country treats attacks on the judiciary.
For Justice Kavanaugh, his family, and the broader public, the case has been a painful reminder of the stakes involved when public servants are targeted for their decisions. The man once known as Nicholas John Roske is now Sophie Roske, but the facts of the case remain the same. A person arrived at the home of a Supreme Court Justice with deadly intent, was stopped before carrying out an unthinkable act, and now awaits sentencing. The eyes of the nation will once again turn to the courtroom in early October, watching closely as justice is handed down in a case that shook the country to its core.
