Conservatives Criticize 'Lenient' 8‑Year Sentence for Roske in Kavanaugh Assassination Plot; DOJ to Appeal
U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman sentenced California defendant Natalie Roske to 97 months (8 years, 1 month) in prison plus lifetime supervised release for an alleged plot to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh—an outcome the Justice Department, which had urged a sentence of at least 30 years, said it will appeal after prosecutors pointed to seized weapons, tactical gear and a map with pins on the homes of four Supreme Court justices. Conservatives on social media blasted Boardman, a Biden appointee, as “lenient,” while the judge cited mitigating factors including Roske’s spontaneous confession, cooperation and mental‑health history, and Justice Amy Coney Barrett said the plot’s mapping of justices’ homes underscores ongoing safety threats.
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📌 Key Facts
- U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman sentenced the defendant to 97 months (8 years, 1 month) in prison plus lifetime supervised release and delivered on‑the‑record remarks at the hearing; the defendant apologized in court.
- The Department of Justice announced it will appeal the 8‑year sentence as insufficient; Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly posted a reaction confirming the appeal.
- Authorities seized at arrest a Glock 17 with magazines and ammunition, a tactical chest rig, a knife, pepper spray, zip ties, tools, modified hiking boots and a map with pins marking the homes of four sitting Supreme Court justices.
- Prosecutors had sought at least 30 years, characterizing the plot as an ideologically motivated terrorism attempt; the defense urged leniency based on the defendant's mental‑health history, remorse and cooperation.
- The judge cited mitigating factors including the defendant’s spontaneous confession and cooperation—the defendant called 911 on herself and reported suicidal/homicidal thoughts prior to law enforcement learning of the plot.
- Conservative critics on social media sharply condemned the sentence and named Judge Boardman a “disgrace,” with some calling the punishment a “joke” (individual critics such as Mike Davis were quoted); some commenters also argued the judge considered the defendant’s gender‑identity‑related issues.
- Justice Amy Coney Barrett gave an on‑the‑record interview saying, “I’m not afraid,” described routine protests and harassment at her events and home (including impacts on her children), and confirmed court papers showed the plotter had mapped her home, underscoring the public‑safety threat to the Court.
📰 Sources (5)
As justices confront harassment, death threats, Barrett says "I'm not afraid"
New information:
- Direct, on‑the‑record interview and new quotes from Justice Amy Coney Barrett — notably "I'm not afraid."
- Barrett's firsthand description that protesters routinely gather at her public events and at her home and that her children have faced backlash (characterized as having to be 'unpopular').
- Confirmation in Barrett's interview that court papers showed the plotter had mapped the homes of other conservative justices, including hers — reinforcing the public‑safety threat to the Court.
Biden-appointed judge slammed by conservatives for 'lenient' 8-year sentence in Kavanaugh assassination plot
New information:
- Conservative backlash on social media naming Judge Deborah Boardman a 'disgrace' and calling the sentence a 'joke' (quotes and named critic Mike Davis included).
- Reporting notes the defendant now uses the name Sophie and highlights that some commenters say the judge considered gender-identity-related issues when sentencing.
- DOJ publicly announced it will appeal the district court’s 8‑year sentence; Attorney General Pam Bondi posted reaction and confirmed the appeal.
- Judge Boardman—identified as a Biden appointee confirmed in 2021—said she weighed mitigating factors including Roske's spontaneous confession and cooperation with police.
California resident gets over 8 years in prison for attempt to assassinate Justice Kavanaugh
New information:
- Confirms sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman: 8 years and 1 month (97 months) plus lifetime court supervision.
- Reports DOJ (Attorney General Pam Bondi) says it will appeal the sentence as insufficient.
- Details defendant’s behavior at the scene and that she called 911 and reported suicidal/homicidal thoughts before law enforcement learned of the plot; judge cited that in mitigation.
8-year sentence for plot to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh
New information:
- Sentence imposed: 97 months (8 years, 1 month) in prison and lifetime supervised release.
- Sentencing judge identified: U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman handed down the sentence and delivered remarks.
- Detailed evidence and items seized at arrest: Glock 17 with magazines/ammo, tactical chest rig, knife, pepper spray, zip ties, tools, hiking boots with modifications, and a map with pins for homes of four sitting Supreme Court justices.
- Prosecutors had sought at least 30 years, framing the plot as an ideologically motivated terrorism attempt; defense noted mental‑health history and remorse, including that Roske called police on herself.
- Direct quotes from the judge and from Roske's apology in court were published.