Milwaukee, Wisconsin — In a dramatic escalation of Donald Trump’s 2025 immigration crackdown, Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has been indicted on two federal charges for allegedly helping a Mexican national evade immigration officials during a courthouse appearance.
According to a Department of Justice press release, the incident occurred on April 18, 2025, when Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported individual facing misdemeanor charges, appeared in court. Federal agents from ICE, the FBI, and the DEA were waiting to arrest him.
However, they allege Judge Dugan became visibly upset, left the bench, and escorted the defendant through a side door used for jurors. ICE enforcement practices have been a contentious issue nationwide, with this case now serving as a high-profile flashpoint.
Flores-Ruiz managed to exit the courthouse briefly but was arrested after a foot chase. FBI Director Kash Patel later accused Dugan of “intentionally misdirecting” agents, calling her actions a risk to public safety. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has since suspended her from the bench.
Federal Charges and Judicial Backlash
A federal grand jury indicted Judge Dugan on charges of obstruction and concealing a person from arrest. These charges carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison.
Her legal team issued a statement maintaining her innocence, and she is expected to enter a plea at a hearing scheduled later this week. Meanwhile, her supporters say this is part of a broader pattern threatening judicial independence in the United States.
Political and Legal Implications
The incident has sparked a national debate. Republicans assert that judges must not obstruct law enforcement. Democrats, including Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, described the arrest as a politically charged move by the Trump administration aimed at undermining the justice system.
This comes just a day after a former New Mexico judge was arrested for allegedly harboring a Venezuelan gang member. Critics argue that these arrests represent a coordinated political effort targeting dissenting judicial voices.
InBlog: The Bigger Picture
- 📌 Read: Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Campaign in 2025
- 📌 Explore: How ICE Is Expanding Operations Inside US Courthouses
- 📌 Learn: Are US Judges Being Politically Targeted?
What Comes Next?
With the plea hearing looming, the case against Judge Dugan is poised to become a legal landmark. It could define the boundaries of federal immigration authority inside local courtrooms and test the resilience of judicial autonomy in politically charged times.
As the story unfolds, it will reveal whether the judiciary can remain neutral in a political storm — or whether this case marks a new chapter in the fight between local justice and federal power.
