The FBI director announced the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on social media, accusing her of helping an illegal immigrant avoid arrest by federal agents. Democratic Wisconsin State Senator Chris Larson criticized the move, stating that the arrest was meant to intimidate other judges into complying with the administration’s goals. The announcement by the FBI director was swiftly deleted and re-shared two hours later, causing concerns about the intentions behind the arrest. Senators and representatives in Congress also voiced concerns that the judicial system itself was under attack, as the Department of Justice indicated that more judges would be prosecuted.
Dugan’s initial court appearance followed her arrest for allegedly helping a Mexican national avoid arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The defendant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, had been deported from the U.S. previously and was at the courthouse for a hearing on battery charges. Dugan is accused of guiding the defendant and his attorney out of a side door to evade ICE agents. Protests erupted outside the courtroom where Dugan’s hearing took place, with officials in Milwaukee and Wisconsin voicing support for her character and belief in due process.
Despite the allegations against Dugan, many have expressed concerns about the potential breach of the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson criticized the Trump administration for undermining the judiciary and focusing on settling political scores rather than addressing pressing issues. Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari highlighted the dangers of authoritarianism, while Senator Tammy Baldwin raised concerns about the attack on fundamental democratic values.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that judges attempting to obstruct federal agents would be prosecuted, emphasizing that the actions taken by Dugan were unacceptable. Republican representatives Scott Fitzgerald and Tony Wied condemned Dugan’s alleged interference with federal immigration enforcement, calling for her resignation. Dugan’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 15, as the legal proceedings against her continue to unfold. The arrest of a judge and the subsequent response from various political figures have sparked debates about the state of the judicial system and the balance of power between the branches of government.
