A Biden-appointed federal judge is facing backlash from conservatives after sentencing Nicholas Roske—the man who plotted to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh—to only eight years in prison. Prosecutors had requested a 20-year sentence for the 26-year-old, who was arrested outside Kavanaugh’s Maryland home armed with a handgun, ammunition, and burglary tools. The suspect reportedly told police he was motivated by the Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and sought to “give his life purpose” through the act.
Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby defended her decision as “proportionate” to the crime, citing Roske’s lack of prior offenses and cooperation with law enforcement. Critics, however, argue that the leniency sends a dangerous message that political violence against conservative figures will not be punished severely. Prominent Republican lawmakers and legal analysts described the ruling as “outrageous,” calling it another example of judicial bias.
The Justice Department has not indicated whether it will appeal the sentence. Legal experts warn that the decision could undermine deterrence at a time when threats against judges and public officials are rising nationwide. The incident has reignited debate over security for Supreme Court justices, with some conservatives demanding stronger protections and stricter penalties for politically motivated threats or attacks.
