Brett Kavanaugh - live: Nicholas Roske in court for attempted murder of Supreme Court Justice over Roe v Wade
Suspect expected in court hearing on Wednesday afternoon
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Your support makes all the difference.An armed man has been arrested near the Maryland home of US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, officials have confirmed to The Independent.
Police said the individual, named as Nicholas John Roske, 26, was “armed with at least one weapon and burglary tools,” and had threatened to kill the high court judge.
The California man reportedly targeted the Trump-appointed justice because he was upset about the potential overturning of the 1973 Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision. The landmark precedent guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion access.
He also reportedly told police he was disturbed by the recent massacre of 19 schoolchildren and two teachers in a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
The 26-year-old called 911 saying he had “suicidal thoughts” and plans to kill Mr Kavanaugh, remaining on the line with emergency response personnel until he was arrested near Justice Kavanaugh’s home in Chevy Chase.
He’s expected in federal court in Maryland at 3pm ET.
Follow for live updates and highlights from The Independent
How the ‘pro-life’ movement killed Roe v Wade
The threat against Brett Kavanaugh is the latest sign of a rapidly unraveling abortion debate in the US.
For more context on how Roe v Wade came to be, and how abortion access has been being reduced for decades, here’s an in-depth look from Alex Woodward.
Inside the ‘pro-life’ movement that killed Roe v Wade
Powerful legal groups, conservative Christian activists and right-wing figures shaped an anti-abortion agenda in the hands of the US Supreme Court, Alex Woodward reports
Threat on Kavanaugh followed weeks of protests outside justices’ homes
The death threat against Brett Kavanaugh comes after weeks of protests outside his homes and those belonging to the other conservative justices, who appear poised to overturn Roe v Wade.
The protests have generated controversy, with some calling to limit the right to organise outside of officials’ homes.
Why protesting the threat to abortion rights outside Kavanaugh’s home is wrong
No one should back down from fighting for women’s rights. But I’ve seen what can happen when the political and personal get mixed up
Others have argued this would be a violation of liberties.
Maryland governor condemns threat against Justice Kavanaugh
The governor of Maryland, Larry Hogan, has condemned Wednesday’s death threat against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. “I call on leaders in both parties in Washington to strongly condemn these actions in no uncertain terms,” the govenor said on Wednesday. “It is vital to our constitutional system that the justices be able to carry out their duties without fear of violence against them and their families.”
“I want to thank the US Marshals Service and Montgomery Cuonty Police for acting quickly to apprehend the suspect and prevent him from causing any harm,” he added.
How did Nicholas John Roske find Brett Kavanaugh’s house?
Nicholas John Roske, a 26-year-old from California, flew across the country with the intention of killing Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, he told police.
The Simi Valley native told officers he had found the justice’s address online.
Attorney General Merrick Garland says Kavanaugh threat strikes ‘heart of our democracy'
Attorney General Merrick Garland is raising the alarm after a man threatened to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. “This kind of behaviour is obviously behaviour that we will not tolerate,” he said. “Threats of violence and actual violence against the justices of course strike the heart of our democracy and we will do everything can to prevent them and hold people who do them accountable.”
“For that reason, last month, I accelerated the protection of all the justices’ residences 24/,” he added. “Also last month, I met with the marshal of the court, I convened a meeting with her, as well as with the deputy director of the FBI, with the director of the Marshals Service, and with our own proseutors to ensure every degree of protection is possible.”
ICYMI: Armed man planning to kill Brett Kavanaugh over Roe v Wade is arrested near Supreme Court justice’s home
An armed California man threatening to kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh of the US Supreme Court is the latest shocking incident of gun violence in recent weeks.
Alex Woodward had this report on the threat, and what happens next.
Armed man who planned to kill Kavanaugh and himself arrested near justice’s home
Suspect’s arrest comes as nation’s high court considers several controversial cases
What has Joe Biden said about the Brett Kavanaugh death threat?
President Joe Biden’s administration has condemned threats of violence and intimidation against members of the US Supreme Court and other public officials following the arrest of a suspected gunman near the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement provided to Fox News that the president condemns the alleged actions of the suspect and “is grateful to law enforcement for quickly taking him into custody”.
“As the president has consistently made clear, public officials – including judges – must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety or that of their families,” according to the statement. “And any violence, threats of violence, or attempts to intimidate justices have no place in our society.”
Read Alex Woodward’s report on the White House response to the threat.
White House condemns actions of armed suspect near Justice Kavanaugh’s home
‘Public officials ... must be able to do their jobs without concern for their personal safety or that of their families’
Republicans accused of hypocrisy for response to Brett Kavanaugh threat and gun control
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a stern condemnation of an apparent attempt by a man to harm Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Wednesday, but his remarks drew criticism from those who questioned where that same fervor was for protecting Americans from gun violence.
Mr Kavanaugh, one of the Supreme Court’s newest and most controversial members, was revealed by law enforcement to have been the target of a murder plot after a man was arrested near the justice’s Maryland home just before 2am on Wednesday.
“House Democrats need to stop their blockade and pass this uncontroversial bill today,” declared the minority leader.
But those comments were not well-received on Twitter, especially coming from a Republican leader whose party has uniformly opposed any efforts to restrict gun ownership, including from the hands of those judged to be dangerous, for years. Even now, compromise legislation being worked on in the Senate is said to not likely include a ban or further restrictions on the assault-style weapons used in twin massacres in Texas and New York.
John Bowden has the details.
McConnell under fire for differing response to Kavanaugh plot and Uvalde shooting
Republicans face accusations of hypocrisy for not treating gun violence with urgency
House passes gun reform package after Uvalde and Buffalo mass shootings
The same day a man with a gun threatened a US Supreme Court Justice, the House pased a new gun reform package.
Here’s Graeme Massie’s report on all the day’s action from Washington.
House passes gun reform package after Uvalde and Buffalo mass shootings
Bill has virtually no chance nof passing US Senate
Will weeks of gun violence inspire new firearms legislation? Pelosi is ‘optimistic'
Even for America, it’s been a hectic few months for gun violence.
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’s “optimistic” Washington will finally pass new gun control measures after decades of inaction.
Pelosi says Democrats ‘optimistic’ for gun deal despite acrimonious hearing’
Comes on a full day of action on gun negotiations
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