What’s the current situation with assassination attempts on Supreme Court justices? A judge appointed by Biden in Maryland notes that the average sentence for such attempts is around 97 months, which is a bit over eight years. That’s actually less than what many nonviolent offenders serve.
The lenient sentence handed down to Nicholas Roske for attempting to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh raises serious concerns—not just about the judiciary’s effectiveness but also about the security of our democratic institutions.
Let’s rewind a bit. In March 2020, during an abortion case, then-Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stood outside the Supreme Court and made veiled threats towards Kavanaugh and another justice, claiming they would “pay the price” for any unfavorable decisions. It was unsettling, to say the least.
Fast forward to 2022 when the critical case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Services, surfaced. A draft opinion was leaked in early May, seemingly aimed at preventing Roe v. Wade from being overturned. Roske’s attempt on Kavanaugh’s life occurred just a month later, highlighting the seriousness of his actions. This was more than just an attempted murder; it’s an act of domestic terrorism against our system.
Interestingly, Kavanaugh wasn’t Roske’s only target; he had plans to eliminate multiple justices to shake the court’s foundation. Lately, there have been troubling acts of violence linked to political tensions, such as the shooting incident involving Congressman Steve Scalise and a sniper targeting ICE officers in Dallas. Just this week, authorities arrested a man with explosive devices near a cathedral where judges were present, suggesting potential targets among them.
Against this backdrop, the response from Judge Boardman is particularly concerning. Not only did she impose a sentence that fell short of appropriate guidelines for such a serious crime, but she also seemed to influence her decision based on Roske’s self-identification as transgender. In court, he expressed that he prefers to be called Sophie, and Boardman acquiesced.
This should not affect sentencing; that’s a slippery slope. It’s alarming that Roske’s mental health issues appeared to result in a lighter sentence. Boardman described him as “deeply remorseful” and emphasized he had supposedly abandoned his plot. But, I wonder if that’s the full story.
It’s possible that Roske’s decision to call 911 was a last-ditch effort to evade capture when he saw law enforcement near Kavanaugh’s home. He traveled from California armed with a range of weaponry and tactical gear. Upon arrest, officers found a firearm, ammunition, and various tools to facilitate his deadly intentions.
These facts complicate any narrative that downplays the gravity of this crime.
With three years already served and potential parole in the near future, there’s a real possibility that Roske could be released soon, with Kavanaugh still on the bench. That’s a horrifying prospect.
Fortunately, the Department of Justice is appealing this lenient sentence. If we don’t respond to violence with appropriate consequences, we open the door to more of it. This incident strikes at the very core of our governance, making the light sentence a national embarrassment.
