Topline: The manifesto, titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge,” included threats against judges, children, and politicians, according to federal prosecutors.
Published: September 13, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Robert Ivers (via Hennepin County Sheriff's Office)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minnesota man with a history of threatening the judiciary is once again facing serious federal charges, this time accused of disseminating a violent manifesto and making chilling threats against a federal judge.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, 72-year-old Robert Phillip Ivers has been charged with threatening to assault and murder a federal judge—his second such charge in recent years.
Ivers was arrested on September 3 after police were called to the Wayzata Library, where he was seen printing copies of a document titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge.” Authorities say he showed the manifesto, which included disturbing references to harming children and an image of a gun, to library staff before handing them a flyer advertising the booklet. The flyer claimed the publication was intended to instruct “extremists” on how to “plan, train, hunt, stalk and kill anyone including judges, their family members, politicians and more.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson condemned the threats in stark terms. “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,” he said in a statement. “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.”
This latest arrest came just days after church officials in Minnetonka flagged Ivers to police for suspicious behavior. Staff at an Episcopal church reported that he had been attending multiple services and expressed plans to return for several upcoming events, including a family picnic, a school blessing attended by state lawmakers, and a baptism service. A background search by church members revealed Ivers’s criminal history, including a prior federal conviction for threatening to kill a judge in 2019.
Following the incident at the library, Wayzata police tracked Ivers down later that evening. During his arrest, Ivers complained of a heart attack and was briefly hospitalized before being released that same night. He was re-arrested on September 5.
A search of Ivers’s vehicle revealed disturbing materials: twenty printed copies of his manifesto, multiple promotional flyers, lists of federal judges, a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, a photograph of the former Pope with crosshairs on his head, and a box containing a toy gun, CO2 cartridges, pellets, and fireworks.
According to the complaint, when interviewed by authorities, Ivers admitted to distributing the manifesto at the library. When asked if he thought the content would scare anyone, he shouted, “It was supposed to!”
The 236-page manifesto is deeply personal, investigators say, filled with ramblings, sketches, and repeated threats directed at the federal judiciary. The writings appear to center on perceived injustices Ivers believes he suffered in the legal system. He singled out two federal judges—one of whom he previously threatened and another who oversaw his prior federal trial. In the document, Ivers explicitly threatens to kill one of the judges. In one handwritten note, he wrote: “If this book doesn’t instill fear in you then your already dead.”
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. emphasized the seriousness of the case. “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,” Winston said. “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.”
Ivers is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court later today. Prosecutors plan to seek his detention as the case proceeds.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Accused of Printing Manifesto on Killing Judges Faces Federal Charges
The manifesto, titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge,” included threats against judges, children, and politicians, according to federal prosecutors.
By Jacob Charles
Published: September 13, 2025 8:00 am ET
Robert Ivers (via Hennepin County Sheriff's Office)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minnesota man with a history of threatening the judiciary is once again facing serious federal charges, this time accused of disseminating a violent manifesto and making chilling threats against a federal judge.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, 72-year-old Robert Phillip Ivers has been charged with threatening to assault and murder a federal judge—his second such charge in recent years.
Ivers was arrested on September 3 after police were called to the Wayzata Library, where he was seen printing copies of a document titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge.” Authorities say he showed the manifesto, which included disturbing references to harming children and an image of a gun, to library staff before handing them a flyer advertising the booklet. The flyer claimed the publication was intended to instruct “extremists” on how to “plan, train, hunt, stalk and kill anyone including judges, their family members, politicians and more.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson condemned the threats in stark terms. “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,” he said in a statement. “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.”
This latest arrest came just days after church officials in Minnetonka flagged Ivers to police for suspicious behavior. Staff at an Episcopal church reported that he had been attending multiple services and expressed plans to return for several upcoming events, including a family picnic, a school blessing attended by state lawmakers, and a baptism service. A background search by church members revealed Ivers’s criminal history, including a prior federal conviction for threatening to kill a judge in 2019.
Following the incident at the library, Wayzata police tracked Ivers down later that evening. During his arrest, Ivers complained of a heart attack and was briefly hospitalized before being released that same night. He was re-arrested on September 5.
A search of Ivers’s vehicle revealed disturbing materials: twenty printed copies of his manifesto, multiple promotional flyers, lists of federal judges, a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, a photograph of the former Pope with crosshairs on his head, and a box containing a toy gun, CO2 cartridges, pellets, and fireworks.
According to the complaint, when interviewed by authorities, Ivers admitted to distributing the manifesto at the library. When asked if he thought the content would scare anyone, he shouted, “It was supposed to!”
The 236-page manifesto is deeply personal, investigators say, filled with ramblings, sketches, and repeated threats directed at the federal judiciary. The writings appear to center on perceived injustices Ivers believes he suffered in the legal system. He singled out two federal judges—one of whom he previously threatened and another who oversaw his prior federal trial. In the document, Ivers explicitly threatens to kill one of the judges. In one handwritten note, he wrote: “If this book doesn’t instill fear in you then your already dead.”
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. emphasized the seriousness of the case. “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,” Winston said. “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.”
Ivers is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court later today. Prosecutors plan to seek his detention as the case proceeds.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Accused of Printing Manifesto on Killing Judges Faces Federal Charges
The manifesto, titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge,” included threats against judges, children, and politicians, according to federal prosecutors.
By Jacob Charles
Published: September 13, 2025 8:00 am ET
Robert Ivers (via Hennepin County Sheriff's Office)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minnesota man with a history of threatening the judiciary is once again facing serious federal charges, this time accused of disseminating a violent manifesto and making chilling threats against a federal judge.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, 72-year-old Robert Phillip Ivers has been charged with threatening to assault and murder a federal judge—his second such charge in recent years.
Ivers was arrested on September 3 after police were called to the Wayzata Library, where he was seen printing copies of a document titled “How to Kill a Federal Judge.” Authorities say he showed the manifesto, which included disturbing references to harming children and an image of a gun, to library staff before handing them a flyer advertising the booklet. The flyer claimed the publication was intended to instruct “extremists” on how to “plan, train, hunt, stalk and kill anyone including judges, their family members, politicians and more.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson condemned the threats in stark terms. “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,” he said in a statement. “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.”
This latest arrest came just days after church officials in Minnetonka flagged Ivers to police for suspicious behavior. Staff at an Episcopal church reported that he had been attending multiple services and expressed plans to return for several upcoming events, including a family picnic, a school blessing attended by state lawmakers, and a baptism service. A background search by church members revealed Ivers’s criminal history, including a prior federal conviction for threatening to kill a judge in 2019.
Following the incident at the library, Wayzata police tracked Ivers down later that evening. During his arrest, Ivers complained of a heart attack and was briefly hospitalized before being released that same night. He was re-arrested on September 5.
A search of Ivers’s vehicle revealed disturbing materials: twenty printed copies of his manifesto, multiple promotional flyers, lists of federal judges, a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, a photograph of the former Pope with crosshairs on his head, and a box containing a toy gun, CO2 cartridges, pellets, and fireworks.
According to the complaint, when interviewed by authorities, Ivers admitted to distributing the manifesto at the library. When asked if he thought the content would scare anyone, he shouted, “It was supposed to!”
The 236-page manifesto is deeply personal, investigators say, filled with ramblings, sketches, and repeated threats directed at the federal judiciary. The writings appear to center on perceived injustices Ivers believes he suffered in the legal system. He singled out two federal judges—one of whom he previously threatened and another who oversaw his prior federal trial. In the document, Ivers explicitly threatens to kill one of the judges. In one handwritten note, he wrote: “If this book doesn’t instill fear in you then your already dead.”
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. emphasized the seriousness of the case. “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,” Winston said. “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.”
Ivers is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court later today. Prosecutors plan to seek his detention as the case proceeds.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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