The man who attempted to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh now identifies as a transgender woman and has a history of severe mental illness, according to court filings. Nicholas Roske, 29, was arrested in 2022 outside Kavanaugh’s Maryland home carrying weapons and burglary tools. He pleaded guilty in April 2025 to attempting to kill a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Roske now goes by “Sophie Roske,” and defense attorneys have requested the court refer to their client using female pronouns “out of respect.”

The Justice Department has recommended a 30-year prison sentence, labeling the act as “political violence” and stressing the importance of sending a strong message against threats to the judiciary. Attorney General Pam Bondi called the incident “an attack on the entire judicial system,” stating that such acts cannot go unpunished. DOJ attorneys argue that the punishment must reflect the danger posed and serve as a clear deterrent.

Prosecutors noted that Roske had used female identities online before the assassination attempt and now formally uses a female name in legal filings. The defense acknowledged Roske’s ongoing mental health issues, including suicidal ideation and identity struggles, as part of their argument for leniency.

The case unfolds amid broader concerns over recent violence involving transgender-identifying suspects. This includes the killing of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk by Tyler Robinson, who lived with a transgender partner, and an earlier school shooting in Minneapolis involving Robin Westman, another transgender-identifying individual.

In response, federal officials are debating stricter firearm regulations for individuals with gender dysphoria or severe mental health conditions. The discussions are part of a larger counterterrorism strategy addressing ideologically driven and identity-linked violence across the country.