Staff Reports
America is facing a dangerous new chapter in its political history, perfectly exemplified by the shocking saga surrounding Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Back in June 2022, Kavanaugh was the target of an attempted assassination—a plot put into motion by Nicholas John Roske, who has since come to be known as Sophie Roske. Armed to the teeth with a gun, zip ties, and other weapons, Roske’s explicit intent was to murder not just Kavanaugh, but to potentially target other conservative justices—all in response to a leaked Supreme Court draft overturning Roe v. Wade and upholding gun rights. This was not some fleeting act of impulse: Roske traveled across the country, thoroughly researched her targets, and only aborted her plan after calling her sister and then 911 in a crisis of conscience.
Despite the gravity of the act, the mainstream media has repeatedly downplayed the political roots and radical motivations behind the attack. The Department of Justice is now seeking a 30-year sentence, labeling Roske’s crimes as not only premeditated but as an act designed to “single-handedly and irrevocably alter an entire branch of the United States government through violence”. The left-wing rhetoric and media atmosphere following the leak of the Roe draft put a target on the backs of conservative justices, yet astonishingly, there has been little introspection from those who fanned the flames. Politicians who escalate rhetoric against the judiciary need to reckon with the consequences, especially when such dangerous language inspires real-world violence.
Throwing even more complexity into the narrative, Roske now identifies as a transgender woman—a detail highlighted by defense attorneys ahead of sentencing. Predictably, the identity angle is being brought to the fore, with some using mental health struggles and personal crises as mitigating factors. But these arguments should not distract from the seriousness of the crime: targeting Supreme Court justices for ideological reasons is pure political terrorism, and it threatens the very bedrock of constitutional government.
This case exposes a glaring double standard. Had the perpetrator targeted a liberal justice or politician, there is no doubt the media and left-wing activists would make it the lead story for weeks and demand sweeping national action. Instead, Republicans are left almost alone in sounding the alarm, calling out the dangerous cocktail of political radicalization, identity politics, and selective outrage. There is a desperate need for consistency in condemning all political violence, regardless of the perpetrator’s identity or cause.
As violence and threats against public figures increase, America must reject attempts to excuse or explain away such vicious partisanship. Stronger laws, honest reporting, and true equal protection under the law—not endless rationalization—are essential if this country is to break free from the current spiral of demonization and violence. The Kavanaugh assassination attempt should be a wake-up call, not just another subject for partisan spin.
