Minnesota State Wire

Robert Phillip Ivers, 72, has been charged by complaint with threatening to assault and murder a federal judge, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. Ivers has a prior federal conviction for threatening to kill a federal judge.

“At a time when Minnesota is reeling from acts of violence, the last thing we need is someone spreading fear into our churches, libraries, and courts,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Ivers’s threats are bone chilling. After the past few months, we are not taking chances. When someone threatens our community, we believe them, and we will act swiftly to protect Minnesotans.”

Law enforcement responded on September 3, 2025, to the Wayzata Library in Wayzata, Minnesota after receiving a report about a man printing copies of a manifesto titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge.” The individual was identified as Robert Ivers. According to authorities, Ivers showed the manifesto to library staff; one page referenced killing children and included an image of a gun. He also distributed flyers advertising his manifesto before leaving the library. The flyer stated that the document “is designed to teach extremists on how to plan, train, hunt, stalk and kill anyone including judges, their family members, politicians and more!” It further noted that “the harsh reality is that judges are going to die.”

Further investigation revealed that on August 28, 2025, Ivers had exhibited concerning behavior at an Episcopal church in Minnetonka. He attended several services and informed members he would attend upcoming events involving families and state legislators. Church staff researched Ivers online and found information about previous threats of violence as well as racist commentary; they subsequently contacted law enforcement.

On the evening of September 3rd, police located and arrested Ivers in Wayzata. During transport he claimed medical distress and was taken from jail to a hospital but was released later that night.

A search of Ivers’s vehicle yielded items including: a photo of the former Pope with crosshairs over his head; twenty spiral-bound copies of “How to Kill a Federal Judge” authored by Ivers; multiple flyers promoting the book; lists of federal judges; a copy of the Anarchist Cookbook; toy replica firearm equipment; Co2 cartridges; pellets; and 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. When asked if he thought it would scare people he replied: “It was supposed to!”

The manifesto spans 236 pages under the title “How to Kill a Federal Judge” with cover imagery depicting an armed man. The content details grievances against the judicial system along with statements about revenge and includes handwritten threats against judges and their families.

Authorities say many names appear in the document—including those of two federal judges who presided over or were involved in earlier cases with Ivers—and direct threats are made against them. In 2019 Ivers was convicted at trial for threatening one such judge in United States v. Robert Ivers (18 CR 90).

“Threats of violence directed at federal judges not only undermine the integrity of our legal system but also pose a grave risk to the principles of justice and democracy,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., FBI Minneapolis Division. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners consider all threats of violence against judges, or any public servants, with grave seriousness. These actions will not be tolerated. As this chilling case confirms, we are fully committed to protecting judges who devote themselves to our communities and legal system.”

Ivers is scheduled for his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon while prosecutors seek detention during proceedings.

The investigation involved collaboration between FBI Minneapolis Division (https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/minneapolis), Wayzata Police Department (https://www.wayzatapd.org/), Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/Pages/default.aspx), United States Marshals Service (https://www.usmarshals.gov/), and support from Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (https://www.hennepinattorney.org/).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melinda A. Williams is prosecuting.

A complaint is merely an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.