In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and local judiciary, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on April 25, 2025, on charges of obstructing federal immigration authorities.
The arrest, which took place at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, has sparked protests, political backlash, and heated debate over the boundaries of judicial authority and immigration policy.
A courthouse confrontation
At approximately 8:30 AM local time, FBI agents apprehended Judge Dugan in the parking lot of the Milwaukee County Courthouse, just before she entered the building.
The arrest stemmed from an incident on April 18, 2025, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived at Judge Dugan’s courtroom to detain Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had been deported in 2013 and re-entered the US illegally. Flores-Ruiz was scheduled for a hearing in a domestic abuse case before Dugan’s court.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the US Justice Department, Judge Dugan, upon learning of the ICE agents’ presence from her courtroom deputy, reacted with visible anger, describing the situation as ‘absurd.’ She briefly left the bench, entered her chambers, and later escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a non-public ‘jury door’ leading to a private courthouse area. The complaint alleges that the Judge’s actions were intended to help Flores-Ruiz evade arrest, constituting obstruction of a federal proceeding and concealment of an individual to prevent discovery.
ICE agents, stationed in a public hallway outside Courtroom 615, spotted Flores-Ruiz exiting the courthouse and pursued him on foot, apprehending him a short distance away.
Judge Dugan faces two felony charges: obstructing or impeding a US agency proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison. Following her arrest, Judge Dugan was released on bond after an initial appearance before US Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries in Milwaukee’s federal court, with a plea hearing scheduled for May 15, 2025.
A clash over immigration policy
Judge Dugan’s arrest marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on local officials perceived as obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
Since President Donald Trump’s return to office, his administration has prioritized aggressive deportation policies, targeting undocumented immigrants and vowing to prosecute state and local officials who resist cooperation with ICE. The arrest follows a similar case on April 24, 2025, when federal authorities detained a former New Mexico judge and his wife for allegedly harboring an undocumented Venezuelan national linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced Judge Dugan’s arrest in a now-deleted X post, later reposted, claiming she intentionally misdirected federal agents and created increased danger to the public by aiding an illegal alien.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a Fox News interview, termed the arrest a warning to judges, stating, ‘Nobody is above the law,’ and accused Judge Dugan of protecting a criminal defendant over victims of crime. The administration’s rhetoric has intensified scrutiny of judges, with Bondi asserting that judicial interference with immigration enforcement will face prosecution.
Judge Dugan, a nine-year veteran of the Milwaukee County bench, has served as Branch 31 judge since her election in 2016, winning re-election unopposed in 2022. Her term is set to end in August 2028. Known for her work in misdemeanor courts, Dugan has not publicly commented on the charges, but her attorney issued a statement asserting that she will defend herself vigorously and anticipates exoneration.
Political and community reactions
The arrest has ignited a firestorm of reactions.
In Milwaukee, protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse on April 25, chanting ‘Free the judge now’ and condemned the arrest as an attack on judicial independence.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson addressed the media, urging calm and respect for due process, while Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley emphasized Dugan’s right to a fair legal process. Chief Judge Carl Ashley of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court declined to comment, citing judicial conduct rules, but confirmed that Dugan’s court calendar would be reassigned as needed.
Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage. US Representative Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin) called the arrest a troubling overreach, while Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) likened it to tactics of ‘Third World countries,’ demanding an investigation. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) questioned how arresting a sitting judge enhances public safety.
Local officials have raised concerns about ICE’s courthouse arrests, noting that such tactics deter immigrants from attending court, undermining justice in cases requiring testimony. This marks the third ICE courthouse operation in Milwaukee since March 2025, amplifying tensions with local authorities.
Legal implications
Legal experts are divided on the case’s significance.
Pace University Law Professor Bennett Gershman told Axios that obstructing immigration officials is a federal crime, suggesting Judge Dugan’s indictment aligns with existing law.
However, critics argue the arrest sets a dangerous precedent, intimidating judges who challenge federal authority. Defense attorney Pat Cafferty, speaking to TMJ4, called the arrest shocking and intentional, designed to send a message amid the administration’s immigration agenda.