Biden taps ex-BLM lawyer to be federal judge in Montana

By Pamela King | 04/24/2024 01:39 PM EDT

“We need Natives and those with Indian Country experiences in all aspects of the federal government,” Danna Jackson said in a 2021 interview.

Danna Jackson.

Federal court nominee Danna Jackson. White House, iStock

President Joe Biden has selected a former Interior Department official to fill a vacancy on a federal court in Montana that frequently decides public lands cases.

If she is confirmed, Danna Jackson — who previously served as a senior counselor to the director of the Bureau of Land Management — would be seated on the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Jackson grew up on a ranch on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana and is currently a lawyer for the tribe, a position she has held since last year.

Advertisement

Her service at Interior spanned 2021 to 2023, first as senior counselor to the BLM director and then as senior counselor to the assistant secretary for water and science.

GET FULL ACCESS