In a dramatic escalation of tensions between state and federal authorities, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on April 25, 2025, by FBI agents on charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent his arrest. The arrest follows allegations that Judge Dugan assisted an undocumented immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in evading Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a court proceeding on April 18.
Alleged Incident Details
According to court documents, ICE agents were present at the Milwaukee County Courthouse on April 18 to detain Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican national, who was scheduled to appear before Judge Dugan on misdemeanor battery charges. The agents reportedly held an administrative warrant for his arrest.
Judge Dugan allegedly confronted the ICE agents, inquiring about the nature of their warrant and expressing visible frustration over their presence. She then postponed Flores-Ruiz’s hearing and directed him and his attorney to exit the courthouse through a private jury room door, bypassing the agents stationed at the public entrance. Flores-Ruiz was later apprehended by ICE agents after a foot chase outside the courthouse.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of Judge Dugan, stating that she “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse,” thereby increasing the danger to public safety.
Judge Dugan faces two felony counts: obstruction of justice and concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest. She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries on the day of her arrest. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, argued that the arrest was unjustified and not in the interest of public safety.
Background on Judge Dugan
Hannah Dugan has served as a Milwaukee County Circuit Judge since 2016, primarily overseeing misdemeanor cases. She holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin Law School and Boston College. Prior to her judicial appointment, Dugan worked extensively with legal aid organizations and served as the executive director of Catholic Charities of Southeastern Wisconsin. She is also a past president of the Milwaukee Bar Association.
Political and Public Reactions
The arrest has sparked a wave of reactions from political figures and civil rights organizations. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers condemned the move as an effort to “undermine our judiciary.” U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin criticized the arrest, stating that it threatens the separation of powers established by the U.S. Constitution. Representative Gwen Moore expressed alarm over what she described as “increasingly lawless actions” by the Trump administration.
Conversely, some Republican lawmakers have defended the arrest, asserting that no one is above the law and emphasizing the importance of enforcing immigration laws uniformly.
Broader Implications
This incident marks the first known instance of the Trump administration targeting a local official for interfering with immigration enforcement. It underscores the ongoing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local jurisdictions, particularly in areas that have adopted policies limiting cooperation with ICE.
Next Steps
Judge Dugan’s case is expected to proceed through the federal court system, with legal experts anticipating a rigorous examination of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the alleged obstruction. The outcome could have significant implications for the relationship between state and federal authorities, particularly concerning immigration enforcement and judicial independence.
As the legal process unfolds, the case will likely continue to attract national attention, serving as a focal point in the broader debate over immigration policy and the rule of law in the United States.
