Minnesota State Wire

Robert Phillip Ivers, 72, has been indicted on charges of threatening to assault and murder a federal judge and a Supreme Court Justice, as well as making interstate threats against others, including a defense attorney. The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. 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 court documents, law enforcement responded to the Wayzata Library in Wayzata, Minnesota on September 3, 2025 after reports that Ivers was printing copies of a manifesto titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge.” He allegedly showed this manifesto—which included references to killing children and an image of a gun—to library staff and distributed flyers advertising its content.

Prior to this incident, Ivers had also drawn attention at an Episcopal church in Minnetonka for concerning behavior and statements about attending upcoming events involving families and state legislators. After staff researched his background and found prior threats of violence along with racist remarks and felony convictions, they alerted authorities.

On the evening of September 3, Wayzata Police arrested Ivers after locating him in response to these incidents. During transport he claimed medical distress but was released from the hospital later that night.

A search of Ivers’s vehicle uncovered items including photographs depicting violence against religious figures, multiple copies of his book “How to Kill a Federal Judge,” flyers promoting the book's content, lists of federal judges’ names, the Anarchist Cookbook, replica firearms with accessories, and fireworks.

He was re-arrested by police on September 5. During questioning he admitted showing his manifesto at the library; when asked if it would have frightened anyone he replied: “It was supposed to!”

Ivers’s manifesto spans 236 pages with writings and sketches expressing grievances against the judicial system and specific threats toward named judges—including those involved in his past trials—as well as their families and pets. In one passage he wrote: “If this book doesn’t instill fear in you then your already dead.”

Ivers made his initial appearance in federal court earlier this week; he remains in custody pending further proceedings.

The investigation is being led by the FBI, Wayzata Police Department, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with support from United States Marshals Service as well as assistance from U.S. Attorney’s Offices for Minnesota and North Dakota and Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

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

An indictment is an allegation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.