US Woman Gets 8 Years for Foiled Supreme Court Justice Murder Plot

California Woman Sentenced for Attempted Assassination of Justice Kavanaugh

A 20-year-old California woman has been sentenced to eight years and one month in federal prison for plotting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in what prosecutors called a politically motivated attack on the American judiciary. Sophie Roske, who traveled from California to Washington, D.C., in June 2022 armed with a Glock pistol, tactical gear, and other weapons, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in October 2025.

Failed Assassination Attempt

Roske's plan to kill Justice Kavanaugh was motivated by anger over the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and block gun control legislation. She had traveled cross-country with a firearm, crowbar, and pepper spray intending to break into Kavanaugh's Maryland home. However, when she saw U.S. Marshals stationed outside the residence, she abandoned her plan and instead called authorities to confess.

"This is a tragic mistake that I will have to live with for the rest of my life," Roske told the court before sentencing. Her defense attorneys argued that she showed genuine remorse and had voluntarily turned herself in before carrying out the attack.

Prosecutors Sought Much Harsher Sentence

Federal prosecutors had requested a minimum 30-year prison term, describing Roske's actions as "preplanned, coldblooded murder" and "an abhorrent form of terrorism." They argued the case represented a "singularly heinous attempted act of domestic terrorism" intended to "alter the Constitutional order."

However, Judge Boardman considered several mitigating factors, including Roske's decision to call off the attack and her mental health conditions. The judge noted that Roske likely wouldn't have carried out the assassination if not for seeing the security presence at Kavanaugh's home.

Lifetime Supervision and Travel Restrictions

In addition to the 97-month prison sentence, Roske will remain under lifetime supervised release after serving her term. She will also need special permission to travel to Washington, D.C., in the future. The Department of Justice has announced it will appeal the sentence, calling it "woefully insufficient" for the severity of the crime.

Broader Context of Political Violence

The sentencing comes amid growing concerns about political violence in the United States. According to a Center for Strategic and International Studies analysis, 2025 marks the first time in over 30 years that left-wing terrorist attacks outnumber those from the violent far right. Recent years have seen attacks on politicians from both parties, including the fatal shooting of Republican activist Charlie Kirk and the attack on former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband.

Justice Kavanaugh, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2018, has been a controversial figure since his contentious confirmation hearings. His appointment, along with other conservative justices, led to the Supreme Court's landmark decision to overturn federal abortion protections in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

The case highlights ongoing security concerns for federal judges and Supreme Court justices, with judges recently warning about increasing threats and intimidation targeting judicial officials across the country.