Attorney General Pam Bondi has escalated tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary following the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan. Dugan was charged with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest after allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade federal authorities.
Bondi labeled Dugan’s actions as “deranged” and vowed to prosecute any judiciary members who cross the administration. This incident has sparked criticism from a bipartisan group of 150 former judges, who argue that the arrest was an attempt to intimidate the judiciary. The situation highlights the ongoing conflict between federal immigration enforcement and local judicial independence.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on April 25, 2025, by FBI agents on charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent their arrest. The arrest stems from allegations that Judge Dugan assisted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant facing misdemeanor battery charges, in evading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
According to the FBI, agents arrived at the courthouse on April 18, 2025, with an administrative warrant to arrest Flores-Ruiz. Judge Dugan reportedly questioned the agents about their authority, as administrative warrants do not grant the same access as judicial warrants. She allegedly directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit the courtroom through a restricted door, allowing him to avoid immediate detention. Flores-Ruiz was later apprehended nearby. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Dugan’s actions “increased danger to the public” by hindering the arrest.
Judge Dugan was charged with two felony counts: obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent their discovery and arrest. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries and was released on bond. The Wisconsin Supreme Court temporarily suspended her from her judicial duties pending the outcome of her federal trial.
The arrest has ignited a national debate over the balance between federal immigration enforcement and judicial independence. Supporters of Judge Dugan argue that her actions were in line with protecting due process rights and challenging federal overreach. Critics contend that her interference with federal agents undermines the rule of law and public safety. Protests have erupted in Milwaukee, with demonstrators expressing concern over the politicization of the judiciary, said news reports.
This case marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse on immigration policy and the role of local officials in enforcing federal laws. The outcome of Judge Dugan’s trial could set a precedent for future interactions between local courts and federal immigration authorities.
Watch Pam Bondi respond to Judge Dugan’s arrest:
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