A California man, Nicholas John Roske, has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The Justice Department announced the plea on Tuesday. Roske, 29, traveled from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., with the intention of harming the justice.

Federal prosecutors stated that Roske arrived in the nation's capital on June 7, 2022, carrying a firearm and ammunition in his luggage. Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the act, calling it a severe attack on the court. She emphasized that those who attempt to influence the courts through violence will face the full force of the law, potentially resulting in life imprisonment.

Roske took a taxi to Montgomery County, Maryland, with the aim of killing Kavanaugh. On June 8, 2022, around 1:05 a.m., U.S. Marshals guarding Kavanaugh's home observed Roske approaching the residence. He was dressed in black and carried a backpack and suitcase.

The U.S. Marshals confronted Roske as he walked down the street. Shortly after, Roske contacted the Montgomery County Emergency Communications Center, expressing homicidal and suicidal thoughts. He revealed he had a gun in his suitcase and had traveled from California to kill Kavanaugh.

Local authorities responded and searched Roske's suitcase, discovering a firearm, tactical gear, ammunition, pepper spray, zip ties, tools, and other items. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes stated that the attempted assassination was an extreme act that would not be tolerated.

During questioning, Roske cited his anger over a recent Supreme Court draft decision concerning abortion rights and the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting as his motivations. Prosecutors also revealed that Roske had used an encrypted platform to send messages indicating his plan to kill multiple Supreme Court justices. Roske faces a potential life sentence when he is sentenced on October 3.