FBI Arrests Milwaukee Judge for Alleged Obstruction of ICE Operation
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – April 26, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, April 25, 2025, on charges of obstructing a federal immigration arrest operation. The arrest, which took place at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and its ongoing tensions with local judicial authorities.
Details of the Incident
According to Patel’s statement on X, Judge Dugan allegedly “intentionally misdirected federal agents” to prevent the apprehension of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 30-year-old Mexican national described as an undocumented immigrant. Flores-Ruiz was in Dugan’s courtroom on April 18, 2025, for a pretrial conference related to three misdemeanor battery charges stemming from a domestic violence incident.
Court documents reveal that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, along with FBI and DEA officers, arrived at the courthouse to detain Flores-Ruiz based on an administrative warrant. Dugan, upon learning of the agents’ presence, reportedly became “visibly angry” and questioned the validity of the warrant, insisting it required judicial authorization. She directed the agents to consult with the chief judge and then allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of the courtroom through a non-public “jury door,” enabling him to temporarily evade arrest.
Federal agents pursued Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse, apprehending him after a brief foot chase near W. State Street and 10th Street. Patel noted that Dugan’s actions “created increased danger to the public,” though Flores-Ruiz was ultimately taken into custody and remains detained at the Dodge Detention Facility.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Dugan faces two federal felony counts:
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Obstructing or impeding a proceeding before a department or agency of the United States (18 U.S.C. § 1505).
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Concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest (18 U.S.C. § 1071).
If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison. Dugan appeared in federal court on Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries, who ordered her release pending a plea hearing scheduled for May 15, 2025. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, stated during the hearing that Dugan “wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest” and believes it was “not made in the interest of public safety.”
Reactions and Controversy
The arrest has sparked polarized reactions. The Trump administration, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, has defended the FBI’s actions, emphasizing that “no one is above the law.” Bondi criticized Dugan for allegedly prioritizing a “criminal defendant over victims of crime,” referencing the domestic violence victims present in court during Flores-Ruiz’s hearing. White House spokesperson Kush Desai reiterated the administration’s commitment to a “no-nonsense approach to immigration enforcement.”
Conversely, Democratic officials and local leaders have condemned the arrest as an overreach. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers accused the Trump administration of undermining the judiciary, while Senator Tammy Baldwin called the move a “gravely serious and drastic” threat to the separation of powers. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson described the arrest as “showboating,” arguing it intimidated individuals from participating in court proceedings. Protesters gathered outside the federal courthouse, chanting “Free the judge now,” in support of Dugan.
Legal experts have also weighed in. Douglas Keith of the Brennan Center for Justice called the arrest “dangerous and wrong,” noting it escalates tensions from similar cases during Trump’s first term, such as the 2019 arrest of a Massachusetts judge. Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) described the move as part of an “authoritarian campaign” to intimidate judges.
Background on Judge Dugan
Hannah Dugan, elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2016 and re-elected in 2022, has served for nine years, primarily overseeing misdemeanor cases. Before her judicial career, she led Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and worked as a poverty attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee. Her attorney emphasized her lifelong commitment to due process and the rule of law, expressing confidence in her exoneration.
Broader Context
Dugan’s arrest is the first publicly known instance of the Trump administration charging a local official for interfering with immigration enforcement, following a January 2025 Justice Department memo urging prosecutors to pursue such cases. The administration has vowed to crack down on “sanctuary policies” and local officials who obstruct federal deportation efforts, a policy reinforced by a February 2025 executive order from President Trump.
The case has reignited debates over immigration enforcement in courthouses, with critics arguing that such arrests deter victims and witnesses from engaging with the judicial system. Supporters, however, view it as a necessary step to uphold federal law.
Looking Ahead
As the case progresses, it is likely to intensify discussions about judicial independence, immigration policy, and the balance of power between federal and local authorities. Dugan’s legal team has signaled a vigorous defense, while the Trump administration appears committed to using the case as a precedent for its immigration agenda.
For further updates, follow developments on major news outlets or official statements from the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice.
