Wisconsin Dems today criticized the arrest of a Milwaukee County judge for allegedly interfering with federal agents’ attempts to arrest an undocumented immigrant, while the Assembly’s top Republican said lawmakers “will act” if she’s convicted.
Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested this morning on two felony counts in a case that drew national attention amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced Dugan’s arrest in a post on X this morning, writing she was taken into custody after “evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week.”
>> WisPolitics is now on the State Affairs network. Get custom keyword notifications, bill tracking and all WisPolitics content. Get the app.
>> WisPolitics is now on the State Affairs network. Get custom keyword notifications, bill tracking and all WisPolitics content. Get the app or access via desktop.
Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said in a statement to WisPolitics the charges are “serious,” and the Assembly is prepared to act.
“We are actively monitoring the situation and should the charges result in a conviction, we will act,” Vos said. “Judge Dugan’s decision to hide a dangerous and illegal immigrant was irresponsible and put public safety at risk.”
The Dems who slammed the arrest include U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who in a statement called the arrest a “serious and drastic” move. The Madison Dem condemned President Donald Trump’s administration for abusing the separation of powers.
“By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line,” she said.
According to the criminal complaint, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz is an undocumented immigrant who was set for a criminal court appearance in front of Dugan April 18 for charges of misdemeanor battery. Members of Milwaukee Immigrations and Customs Enforcement were at the courthouse on that day for his expected arrest.
The complaint alleges that when Dugan learned ICE agents were in the courthouse, she became visibly angry and said the situation was “absurd.” Dugan reportedly approached the deportation officers and asked them to leave. When they refused, she ordered them to speak to the chief judge. According to the complaint, witnesses later saw Dugan escort Flores-Ruiz through a “jury door” into a non-public area. She then continued other hearings, adjourning Flores-Ruiz’s planned hearing. Flores-Ruiz then left the building and made it out before being arrested.
The case is one of two arrests this week that have made national headlines in the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. A former judge in New Mexico is accused of harboring a Venezuela gang member.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said during an appearance on Fox News today said the arrests send a message that “we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We fill find you,” if judges obstruct the administration’s immigration crackdown.
“What has happened to our judiciary is beyond me,” Bondi said, adding some judges are “deranged.”
Gov. Tony Evers’ administration last week sent a memo to state employees directing them to decline answering questions if they encounter a federal immigration officer at their workplace. He criticized today’s arrest.
“Unfortunately, we have seen in recent months the president and the Trump Administration repeatedly use dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level, including flat-out disobeying the highest court in the land and threatening to impeach and remove judges who do not rule in their favor,” Evers said. See the WisPolitics press release page for more reaction.
