On Friday, April 25, 2025, FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, charging her with obstruction of justice for allegedly interfering with an immigration enforcement operation at her courthouse. The arrest, which occurred at 8:30 a.m., marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and local officials over immigration policies.
Dugan, who was scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries later that morning, faces serious charges including obstructing or impeding a federal agency and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. According to court records, she was released on an O/R bond, meaning she was not required to post bail but signed an agreement to appear in court when required.
The controversy centers around Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican immigrant who was accused of misdemeanor domestic battery. Flores-Ruiz had previously been deported from the United States in 2013 and had illegally re-entered the country. On April 18, 2025, as Flores-Ruiz was set to appear in Dugan's courtroom for a pre-trial conference, ICE agents were waiting outside to arrest him.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated on social media that Dugan had "intentionally misdirected federal agents away" from Flores-Ruiz, creating "increased danger to the public." In a now-deleted post, Patel accused Dugan of obstructing justice by allowing Flores-Ruiz to leave through a side door while directing federal agents to speak with the chief judge about the legality of their presence.
Witnesses reported that upon learning of the agents' presence, Dugan became visibly angry, describing the situation as "absurd." After a confrontation with the agents in a public hallway, she allegedly directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit through a private jury door, effectively helping him evade arrest.
The events have sparked outrage among local officials and advocates. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley expressed concern that the FBI was politicizing the arrest, suggesting it was an attempt to intimidate those who oppose federal immigration policies. "It is clear that the FBI is politicizing this situation to make an example of her and others across the country who oppose their attack on the judicial system and our nation’s immigration laws," Crowley stated.
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin criticized the arrest as a serious infringement on democratic values, asserting that such actions threaten the separation of powers. Baldwin remarked, "The President’s administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power. By relentlessly attacking the judicial system... this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line."
Similarly, U.S. Representative Gwen Moore described the arrest as "shocking" and indicative of overreach by the Trump administration. She emphasized that the federal law enforcement's actions in local communities could undermine the judicial process, deterring immigrants from seeking justice or testifying in court.
The ACLU of Wisconsin has also weighed in, arguing that ICE's practice of making arrests at courthouses interferes with the local justice system. The organization stated, "Judges have a duty to maintain order in their courtrooms and ensure the fair administration of justice, and federal law does not require state judges to act as agents of federal immigration enforcement."
The arrest of Judge Dugan is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader trend under the Trump administration, which has aggressively pursued cases against local officials who resist federal immigration enforcement. Since the administration's inception, there has been a concerted effort to investigate and prosecute state and local officials who are perceived to obstruct immigration laws.
Legal experts have noted that while judges do not enjoy special immunity from prosecution, the implications of such actions raise significant concerns about the balance of power within the U.S. federal system. Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor, remarked that this case represents an aggressive exercise of prosecutorial discretion, which could have lasting impacts on how state and federal laws interact.
Dugan's arrest has drawn significant media attention, and a crowd gathered outside the courthouse to protest, chanting, "Free the judge now!" After her brief court appearance, Dugan left through a side door and was driven away in a black SUV, avoiding questions from reporters.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Dugan's arraignment is set for May 15, 2025. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, stated that Dugan "wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest," asserting that it was not made in the interest of public safety.
This developing story raises critical questions about the intersection of immigration enforcement and judicial independence, and it remains to be seen how this case will influence future interactions between state courts and federal immigration authorities.
