James Boasberg (Born: February 20, 1963) is a U.S. federal judge serving as the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He is known for his fair and balanced rulings in high-profile cases, including those involving the Trump administration. Boasberg has handled complex legal matters, such as antitrust cases and immigration disputes, earning respect for his calm and thorough approach. Despite criticism from some political figures, he is seen as a dedicated judge committed to the rule of law.
James Boasberg Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | James Emanuel Boasberg |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1963 |
| Age | 62 years (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Federal Judge, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia |
| Known For | Rulings on Trump administration deportation cases, antitrust trials, and FISA court service |
| Hometown | Washington, D.C., USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
Early Life
James Boasberg was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in a family of lawyers. His father was an attorney, which influenced his interest in law. He attended St. Albans School, a prestigious private school in Washington, D.C. Boasberg was a bright student with a strong sense of justice, which guided him toward a legal career. He was also known for his friendly and approachable personality, forming lasting connections, including a friendship with Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh from their time at Yale University.1
Education
| School | St. Albans School, Washington, D.C. |
| College/University | Yale University; Oxford University (M.St.); Yale Law School (J.D.) |
| Qualification | B.A. in History (Yale, 1985); Master’s in History (Oxford, 1986); Juris Doctor (Yale Law School, 1990) |
Boasberg graduated from Yale University in 1985 with a degree in history. He studied at Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar, earning a master’s degree in history in 1986. Later, he attended Yale Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1990. His strong academic background prepared him for a successful legal career.2
Family Details
| Father | Not publicly available (Attorney) |
| Mother | Not publicly available |
| Siblings | Not publicly available |
| Wife | Elizabeth Manson Boasberg |
| Children | Two children |
| Residence | Washington, D.C., USA |
Boasberg is married to Elizabeth Manson Boasberg, and they have two children. He keeps his family life private, focusing public attention on his judicial work. His family supports his demanding career, and he values his role as a husband and father.
Special Facts About James Boasberg
- Served as a prosecutor in Washington, D.C., specializing in murder cases before becoming a judge.
- Appointed to the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA) by Chief Justice John Roberts, serving from 2014 to 2021.
- Known for his evenhanded rulings, deciding cases both for and against the Trump administration.
- Maintains a friendship with Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh from their Yale days.
- Criticized by some conservative groups for rulings against Trump policies, with some calling for his impeachment.
- Described as “personable” and “calm” on the bench, earning respect from legal peers.3
- Compared Trump administration actions to Kafka’s “The Trial” in a 2025 ruling, highlighting unfair deportations.4
Achievements
- Appointed Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in 2019.
- Oversaw high-profile cases, including the Meta antitrust trial and Trump deportation disputes.
- Served on the FISA court, handling sensitive national security cases from 2014 to 2021.
- Recognized for maintaining judicial independence amid political pressure, earning praise from Chief Justice John Roberts. Source:
Career Highlights
James Boasberg began his career as a prosecutor in Washington, D.C., focusing on murder cases. In 2002, he became a U.S. District Judge, appointed by President George W. Bush. In 2019, he was elevated to Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Boasberg has presided over major cases, including antitrust disputes and immigration challenges. In 2025, he ruled that the Trump administration showed “willful disregard” for his order to halt deportation flights to El Salvador, finding probable cause for criminal contempt. He also oversaw a case involving Trump officials’ use of Signal messages, ordering their preservation. His rulings reflect a commitment to fairness and the rule of law.5
Career Start
| Career Start | Prosecutor in Washington, D.C. (1996–2002) |
| Judicial Appointment | U.S. District Judge (2002) |
| Chief Judge Appointment | Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (2019) |
| Notable Cases | Trump deportation cases (2025), Meta antitrust trial (2025) |
Net Worth and Income
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly available (Judges typically earn fixed salaries) |
| Estimated Annual Income | Approximately $230,000–$250,000 (based on federal judge salary in 2025) |
| Income Sources | Federal judicial salary, possible speaking engagements or teaching |
Federal judges like Boasberg earn a standard salary set by the U.S. government. His income primarily comes from his role as a judge, though exact net worth details are private.
Controversies and Challenges
Boasberg faced criticism from the Trump administration and conservative groups for his rulings on immigration cases. In 2025, Trump called him a “Radical Left Lunatic” and suggested impeachment after Boasberg’s contempt ruling on deportation flights. Despite this, Chief Justice John Roberts defended him, stating impeachment is not appropriate for judicial disagreements. Boasberg also faced scrutiny for his ties to Supreme Court justices, with some accusing him of bias due to his D.C. legal connections. He has remained calm and professional, focusing on legal principles.67
Social Contributions
Boasberg contributes to the legal community through his work on complex cases and judicial panels. At the 2025 ABA Antitrust Conference, he shared advice for lawyers, emphasizing the importance of concise briefs and maintaining case momentum. He promotes efficient court processes, such as requiring joint status reports every 60 days during discovery. His rulings, like those ensuring due process for deportees, uphold constitutional rights and fairness.8
Recent Updates
- April 2025: Ruled probable cause exists to hold Trump administration in contempt for ignoring his order to stop deportation flights to El Salvador.9
- June 2025: Ordered Trump officials to preserve Signal messages in a case about record-keeping violations.10
- June 2025: Ruled deportees to El Salvador must have a chance to challenge their removals, comparing the case to Kafka’s “The Trial.” Source:
- Ongoing: Oversees the FTC vs. Meta antitrust trial, a landmark case involving Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony.11
Lifestyle and Favorites
| Personal Interests | History, legal education, and judicial fairness |
Boasberg leads a private life, focusing on his judicial duties. His interests likely include history, given his academic background, and promoting fairness in the legal system.
Connect with James Boasberg
James Boasberg does not have personal social media accounts, as federal judges maintain professional boundaries. His work can be followed through court rulings and legal news outlets like:
- Court Website: www.dcd.uscourts.gov
Visit Our website and read more Biography: https://en.biographykind.com
References
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/us/politics/trump-judge-boasberg-kavanaugh.html ↩︎
- https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/defiance-us-supreme-court-is-tricky-price-2025-04-17/ ↩︎
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/us/politics/trump-judge-boasberg-kavanaugh.html ↩︎
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/us/politics/trump-judge-boasberg-kavanaugh.html ↩︎
- https://www.youtube.com/live/GAoNCRkTrgg ↩︎
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-james-boasberg-us-judge-finds-probable-cause-to-hold-trump-govt-in-contempt-over-deportations-101744826159174.html ↩︎
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56ff1zx81TY ↩︎
- https://www.youtube.com/live/GAoNCRkTrgg ↩︎
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/16/politics/boasberg-contempt-deportation-flights/index.html ↩︎
- https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-boasberg-orders-rubio-refer-trump-officials-signal-messages-doj-ensure-preservation ↩︎
- https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/defiance-us-supreme-court-is-tricky-price-2025-04-17/ ↩︎