History of James Boasberg in Timeline

James "Jeb" Boasberg is an American jurist who currently serves as the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Appointed to the District Court in 2011 by President Barack Obama after being unanimously confirmed by the Senate, Boasberg previously served as a judge on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia from 2002 to 2011, a position to which he was appointed by President George W. Bush. Boasberg's career reflects a bipartisan endorsement of his legal capabilities and service.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1963: Born in San Francisco

In 1963, James Emanuel "Jeb" Boasberg was born in San Francisco, California.

1981: Attended St. Albans and Yale University

In 1981, James Boasberg graduated from St. Albans and then attended Yale University, where he became a member of Skull and Bones and played for the Yale Bulldogs basketball team.

1985: Graduated from Yale University

In 1985, James Boasberg graduated from Yale University magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

1986: Earned a Master's Degree from Oxford and Taught at Horace Mann School

In 1986, James Boasberg earned a Master of Studies degree from St Peter's College, Oxford. Following this, from 1986 to 1987, he worked as a history teacher and women's basketball coach at Horace Mann School in New York City.

1987: Continued Teaching at Horace Mann School

In 1987, James Boasberg continued working as a history teacher and women's basketball coach at Horace Mann School in New York City. He later attended Yale Law School.

1990: Clerked for Judge Dorothy Wright Nelson

From 1990 to 1991, James Boasberg served as a law clerk for Judge Dorothy Wright Nelson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco.

1990: Graduated from Yale Law School

In 1990, James Boasberg graduated from Yale Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.

1991: Boasberg married Elizabeth Leslie Manson

In 1991, James Boasberg married Elizabeth Leslie Manson.

1991: Joined Keker, Brockett & Van Nest

In 1991, James Boasberg went into private practice, working at Keker, Brockett & Van Nest (now Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP) in San Francisco until 1994.

1994: Left Keker, Brockett & Van Nest

In 1994, James Boasberg left Keker, Brockett & Van Nest where he had been working since 1991.

1995: Worked at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick

From 1995 to 1996, James Boasberg worked at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick in the District of Columbia, briefly as a colleague of Neil Gorsuch.

1996: Joined the U.S. Attorney's Office

In 1996, James Boasberg joined the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia as a prosecutor, specializing in homicides for five and a half years.

1996: Left Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick

In 1996, James Boasberg left Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, where he had been working since 1995.

March 12, 2002: Recommended as potential replacement

On March 12, 2002, the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission recommended James Boasberg, Noël A. Brennan, and Brian F. Holeman as potential replacements for Judge Gregory E. Mize, who retired from the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

May 13, 2002: Nominated by President George W. Bush

On May 13, 2002, President George W. Bush nominated James Boasberg to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

July 25, 2002: Nomination favorably reported

On July 25, 2002, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs favorably reported James Boasberg's nomination by voice vote.

August 1, 2002: Nomination confirmed by the Senate

On August 1, 2002, the full Senate confirmed James Boasberg's nomination as an associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by voice vote.

September 2002: Took Commission as Associate Judge

In September 2002, James Boasberg officially took his commission as an associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, for a term of 15 years. He served in various divisions until his appointment to the federal bench in 2011.

January 2009: Brother appointed Superintendent of Denver Public Schools

In January 2009, James Boasberg's brother, Tom Boasberg, succeeded Michael Bennet as Superintendent of Denver Public Schools.

June 17, 2010: Nominated to the District Court

On June 17, 2010, President Barack Obama formally nominated James Boasberg to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

2010: Sought Trump's tax returns

In 2010, The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) sought President Donald Trump's personal tax returns, but Boasberg dismissed the suit on August 18, 2017.

March 14, 2011: Confirmed to the District Court

On March 14, 2011, James Boasberg was confirmed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by a 96–0 vote.

March 17, 2011: Received Commission

On March 17, 2011, James Boasberg received his commission to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

2011: Appointed to the Federal Bench

In 2011, James Boasberg was appointed to the federal bench after serving as an associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia since September 2002.

April 26, 2012: Ruled against releasing Osama bin Laden photos

On April 26, 2012, James Boasberg ruled that the public had no right to view government photos of a deceased Osama bin Laden, siding against Judicial Watch's FOIA request due to national-security factors.

February 7, 2014: Appointed to FISC

On February 7, 2014, Chief Justice John G. Roberts announced that he would appoint James Boasberg to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) for a term starting May 18, 2014.

May 18, 2014: Term began at FISC

On May 18, 2014, James Boasberg's term began on the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).

2014: Biological Opinion allowing Accidental Killings of North Atlantic right whales

In 2014, the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a biological opinion allowing for the accidental killings of North Atlantic right whales. James Boasberg later ruled on April 9, 2020 that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Endangered Species Act.

August 22, 2016: Ordered release of Hillary Clinton emails

On August 22, 2016, James Boasberg ordered the release of over 14,000 emails found in Hillary Clinton's State Department correspondence by the FBI, responding to a request by Judicial Watch, because the FBI had indicated that the emails were work-related and not entirely private.

2016: Presided over Dakota Access Pipeline litigation

Since 2016, James Boasberg has presided over litigation concerning the Dakota Access Pipeline.

August 18, 2017: Dismissed lawsuit for Trump's tax returns

On August 18, 2017, James Boasberg dismissed a lawsuit from EPIC seeking President Donald Trump's personal tax returns, stating that personal tax returns are confidential and can only be obtained with Trump's permission or Congress's approval.

February 2018: Boasberg plays crown prosecutor in 'The Trial of Hamlet'

In February 2018, James Boasberg played a crown prosecutor in "The Trial of Hamlet" presented at the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

March 27, 2019: Blocked Medicaid work requirements

On March 27, 2019, James Boasberg blocked a work requirement for recipients of Medicaid in Arkansas and Kentucky.

December 20, 2019: Named presiding judge of FISC

On December 20, 2019, the FISC announced that James Boasberg would replace the presiding judge on January 1, 2020, and be elevated to that role.

January 1, 2020: Elevated to Presiding Judge

On January 1, 2020, James Boasberg was elevated to the role of presiding judge of the FISC.

March 25, 2020: Ordered environmental review of Dakota Access Pipeline

On March 25, 2020, James Boasberg ordered a sweeping new environmental review by the Army Corps of Engineers of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

April 8, 2020: Referenced Whale Population

On April 8, 2020, James Boasberg referenced that only about 400 North Atlantic right whales remained when he ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Endangered Species Act on April 9, 2020.

April 9, 2020: Ruled on Endangered Species Act violation

On April 9, 2020, James Boasberg ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Endangered Species Act when it issued a biological opinion in 2014 allowing for the accidental killings of North Atlantic right whales by the American lobster fishery.

July 6, 2020: Vacated easement for Dakota Access Pipeline

On July 6, 2020, James Boasberg vacated an easement to cross the Missouri River for the Dakota Access Pipeline pending completion of the environmental review and ordered the pipeline to be emptied within 30 days.

2020: Appointed to the Alien Terrorist Removal Court

In 2020, James Boasberg was appointed to the United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court and designated chief judge.

2020: Antitrust Lawsuit filed against Meta

In 2020, an antitrust lawsuit was originally filed against Meta Platforms in the case of FTC v. Meta. James Boasberg ruled in favor of Meta in November 2025.

January 2021: Sentenced Kevin Clinesmith

In January 2021, James Boasberg sentenced former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith to probation and community service for altering a CIA email used in a FISA renewal application. This case was brought by Special Counsel John Durham.

May 19, 2021: Term ended at FISC

On May 19, 2021, James Boasberg's term as presiding judge and judge of the FISC ended.

March 17, 2023: Became Chief Judge

On March 17, 2023, James Boasberg became the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

March 11, 2025: Judicial Conference

During the week of March 11, 2025, James Boasberg advised Chief Justice John Roberts and other judges at a Judicial Conference meeting that his D.C. colleagues were concerned the Trump administration would disregard federal court rulings.

March 15, 2025: Issued restraining order

On March 15, 2025, James Boasberg issued a 14-day restraining order against the Trump administration's deportation bypass, citing a lack of historical precedent during undeclared wars.

March 2025: "Houthi PC small group" chat

In March 2025, the "Houthi PC small group" chat occurred, involving senior officials of the Trump administration, discussing operational details related to a U.S. military strike on Houthi targets in Yemen on March 15, 2025.

March 17, 2025: Trump called for impeachment of Boasberg

On March 17, 2025, following Boasberg's ruling blocking use of the Alien Enemies Act, Donald Trump called for Boasberg's impeachment and Representative Brandon Gill introduced an impeachment resolution in the House of Representatives, leading to a rare public statement from Chief Justice John Roberts defending judicial independence.

April 2025: Found Probable Cause of Criminal Contempt

In April 2025, James Boasberg found probable cause that the Trump administration had committed criminal contempt for violating his March 15 orders.

July 2025: Misconduct Complaint Filed

In July 2025, Pam Bondi tweeted that at her direction, the Department of Justice filed a misconduct complaint against U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg. The administration's complaint was signed by Chad Mizelle.

July 2025: Compliant regarding Judicial Conference

In July 2025, a complaint alleged that "on March 11, 2025, at one of the Conference’s semiannual meetings, Judge Boasberg disregarded its history, tradition, and purpose to push a wholly unsolicited discussion about 'concerns that the Administration would disregard rulings of federal courts, leading to a constitutional crisis.'"

July 16, 2025: Margot Cleveland Article

On July 16, 2025, Margot Cleveland published an article referencing James Boasberg.

November 4, 2025: Impeachment articles filed against Boasberg

On November 4, 2025, Representative Brandon Gill filed articles of impeachment against James Boasberg following disclosures that he had signed subpoenas and nondisclosure orders as part of the FBI's Arctic Frost investigation. The resolution accused Boasberg of "abuse of power" for approving nondisclosure orders that prevented senators whose phone records were subpoenaed from being notified.

November 2025: Ruled in favor of Meta Platforms

In November 2025, James Boasberg ruled in favor of Meta Platforms in the case of FTC v. Meta, an antitrust lawsuit originally filed against the company in 2020, finding that the Federal Trade Commission did not demonstrate that Meta held a monopoly in social networking.

November 17, 2025: Senators demand Boasberg's suspension

On November 17, 2025, six Republican senators sent a letter to Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan demanding James Boasberg's administrative suspension pending impeachment proceedings, citing both the July 28 DOJ misconduct complaint and Boasberg's role in the Arctic Frost investigation.

December 3, 2025: Boasberg declines to testify at Senate hearing

On December 3, 2025, James Boasberg and another targeted judge declined invitations to testify at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing. Roll Call reported that impeachment efforts had "stalled in the House".

December 2025: No public response from Srinivasan to the misconduct complaint

As of December 2025, Chief Judge Sri Srinivasan had not publicly responded to either the July misconduct complaint or the senators' letter demanding James Boasberg's administrative suspension.

December 2025: Jack Smith deposition on nondisclosure orders

In December 2025, Jack Smith stated in a deposition regarding the nondisclosure orders, that he did not think the Department of Justice identified members of Congress as targets because that was not Department policy at the time.

December 2025: Misconduct Complaint Dismissed

In December 2025, Judge Jeffrey Sutton dismissed the misconduct complaint filed against James Boasberg in July 2025.

December 2025: Contempt proceedings stayed

In December 2025, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the contempt proceedings related to James Boasberg's ruling against the Trump administration in April 2025.

December 22, 2025: Ruled on deportations

On December 22, 2025, James Boasberg ruled that 137 men deported under the Alien Enemies Act had been denied due process and ordered the administration to either facilitate their return to the United States or provide hearings by January 5, 2026.

2025: Term to end in Alien Terrorist Removal Court

James Boasberg's term in the United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court is scheduled to end in 2025.

January 5, 2026: Deportees to return to US or receive hearings

On January 5, 2026, James Boasberg set the deadline for the administration to either facilitate the return of 137 men deported under the Alien Enemies Act to the United States or provide them with hearings.