Robert Phillip Ivers, 72, has been indicted on charges of threatening to assault and murder a federal judge, a Supreme Court Justice, and a defense attorney. The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson in Minneapolis. Ivers was previously convicted for threatening to kill a federal judge.
“Threats to murder a federal judge, a Supreme Court Justice, and a defense attorney are not just words on a page. They are direct attacks on the rule of law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “We will not allow violent rhetoric to become routine. When someone threatens our judges, we will answer with swift federal prosecution.”
According to the complaint, law enforcement responded on September 3, 2025, to the Wayzata Library in Wayzata, Minnesota after receiving reports that Ivers was printing copies of a manifesto titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge.” He reportedly showed this document to library staff and distributed flyers advertising the manifesto’s contents. The flyer claimed it was intended “to teach extremists on how to plan, train, hunt, stalk and kill anyone including judges, their family members, politicians and more!” It also stated that “the harsh reality is that judges are going to die.”
Prior to this incident at the library, Ivers had been reported for concerning behavior at an Episcopal church in Minnetonka on August 28, 2025. He attended several services and told church members he planned to attend upcoming events with families and state legislators present. Church staff researched his background online and found information about past threats of violence as well as previous felony convictions before contacting law enforcement.
On September 3rd in the evening, Wayzata Police located and arrested Ivers. During transport he claimed medical distress but was released from the hospital later that night.
A search of Ivers’s vehicle uncovered multiple items including: (1) a photo of the former Pope with crosshairs; (2) twenty spiral-bound copies of his book “How to Kill a Federal Judge”; (3) flyers promoting the book; (4) lists of federal judges; (5) a copy of the Anarchist Cookbook; (6) toy replica firearm materials; and (7) fireworks.
Ivers was re-arrested by Wayzata Police Department on September 5th. In an interview following his arrest he admitted showing his manifesto at the library and stated when asked if it would scare people: “It was supposed to!”
The manifesto is described as being 236 pages long with writings focused on perceived injustices by the judicial system along with threats against specific judges—including those who presided over his previous cases—and their families.
Ivers made his initial appearance in federal court earlier this week and remains in custody pending further proceedings.
The investigation involved cooperation between several agencies including the FBI, Wayzata Police Department, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, United States Marshals Service as well as assistance from both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for North Dakota and Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melinda A. Williams is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
