In a stunning development, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on Friday morning, facing federal charges of obstruction of justice after allegedly intervening to prevent immigration authorities from arresting a man inside her courthouse.
The arrest marks a rare and serious action against a sitting judge and has ignited a fresh wave of controversy over the balance between immigration enforcement and judicial independence.
What Happened?
According to federal authorities, Judge Dugan actively obstructed federal agents attempting to detain Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant with a prior deportation record and an active warrant from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away” from Flores-Ruiz during a coordinated operation at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Flores-Ruiz had previously been deported in 2013 and had illegally reentered the United States. Since his return, he had been accused of battery, and a fingerprint match during a local Milwaukee case triggered the administrative warrant for his arrest.
Flores-Ruiz was scheduled to appear before Judge Dugan for a separate criminal matter when federal officers moved in to apprehend him.
How Did the Incident Unfold?
A detailed sworn affidavit by an FBI agent outlines a dramatic sequence of events inside the courthouse.
Agents were stationed outside Dugan’s courtroom, waiting to arrest Flores-Ruiz as he exited. However, a woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, photographed the agents and showed the images to Judge Dugan while she was presiding from the bench.
Witnesses reported that Judge Dugan became visibly angry after reviewing the photographs, criticizing the situation as “absurd” before abruptly leaving the courtroom to confer with colleagues. She then approached the federal agents in the hallway with another judge, confronting them about their presence and directing them to seek authorization from the chief judge’s office.
In a pivotal moment, as Flores-Ruiz was leaving the courtroom, Dugan allegedly told him, “Wait, come with me,” and led him, along with his attorney, through a nonpublic “jury door” exit, away from the waiting officers. This action reportedly allowed Flores-Ruiz to evade immediate arrest.
However, federal agents later located Flores-Ruiz wandering the courthouse, leading to a brief foot chase outside before he was apprehended.
Judge Dugan was arrested at 8 a.m. Friday at her workplace, and was later released after appearing in federal court. She faces two counts of obstruction and is scheduled for arraignment on May 15.
Broader Context and Reactions
The case quickly drew national attention. Tom Homan, former acting director of ICE and President Trump’s designated “border czar,” described actions like Dugan’s as efforts to “evade arrest,” arguing that such interference undermines the rule of law. Homan criticized what he described as a pattern of “radical judges” and political figures who, in his view, are obstructing immigration enforcement efforts under the guise of protecting constitutional rights.
Homan defended the federal immigration process, stating, “They get due process, everyone gets due process.”
On the political front, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, condemned the arrest as “gravely serious and drastic,” warning that it appears part of a larger trend of executive overreach under the Trump administration. “This action fits into the deeply concerning pattern of this President’s lawless behavior and undermining courts and Congress’s checks on his power,” Baldwin said in a statement.
Who Is Judge Hannah Dugan?
Judge Hannah Dugan has served on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court since 2016 after winning the election with a strong majority of the vote. She was reelected without opposition in 2022. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Dugan built a career in civil law, specializing in disability, Social Security, elder, and veterans’ law. She also held leadership roles in nonprofit legal organizations and Catholic Charities, focusing on underserved communities.
Her background in legal aid and social justice work has made her a respected figure in Milwaukee’s legal community, adding additional shock to her arrest.
Why It Matters
This case brings to the forefront the tension between immigration enforcement and judicial authority, raising fundamental questions about the boundaries of legal intervention and the role of judges during federal operations.
Critics argue that judicial interference in federal enforcement actions threatens to erode the rule of law. Supporters contend that judges have a responsibility to protect the constitutional rights of all individuals within the court system, including undocumented immigrants.
Regardless of political perspective, Dugan’s case could set a significant legal precedent about how far a judge can — or cannot — go in shielding individuals from immigration arrests on courthouse grounds.
What’s Next?
Judge Dugan’s arraignment is set for May 15, where she will formally respond to the charges. If convicted, she could face significant penalties, including potential removal from the bench.
Meanwhile, the case is likely to intensify already heated debates nationwide over immigration enforcement, judicial independence, and federal authority within state judicial systems.
