On April 29, 2025, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a stunning order, temporarily relieving Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan of her judicial duties. The decision follows her arrest by the FBI on charges of obstructing federal immigration agents and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. The case has sparked intense debate, protests, and questions about the role of judges in immigration enforcement.
The Incident That Shocked Milwaukee
The controversy began on April 18, 2025, when federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alongside FBI, CBP, and DEA officials, arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Their target was Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national previously deported from the United States, who was appearing in Dugan’s courtroom to face misdemeanor battery charges for allegedly assaulting two people. According to a criminal complaint, ICE agents had probable cause to detain Flores-Ruiz for deportation.
What unfolded next was anything but routine. Court documents allege that Dugan, upon learning of the agents’ presence, confronted them in a public hallway, demanding to know if they had a judicial warrant and instructing them to speak with the chief judge. Witnesses reported that Dugan appeared “visibly angry” and called the situation “absurd” before retreating to her chambers. After Flores-Ruiz’s hearing, instead of allowing him to exit through the main courtroom doors where agents were waiting, Dugan allegedly escorted him and his attorney through a restricted jury door, bypassing the public area. Federal agents pursued Flores-Ruiz outside, apprehending him after a brief foot chase.
Charges and Consequences
On April 25, 2025, the FBI arrested Dugan in the courthouse parking lot, charging her with felony obstruction of a federal agency and a misdemeanor count of concealing a person to avoid arrest. If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison. Dugan appeared in federal court the same day, making no public comments during the brief hearing. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, told the court, “Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.” Dugan has also disputed local media reports, claiming that “nearly every fact” about the incident is inaccurate.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court acted swiftly, issuing an administrative order on April 29 to bar Dugan from exercising her judicial powers “until further order of the court.” The court emphasized that its decision was made independently to “uphold the public’s confidence” in Wisconsin’s judiciary. The Wisconsin Court System confirmed that other judges will cover Dugan’s caseload, and she is not expected to return to the bench this week. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 15.
Public Outcry and Political Firestorm
Dugan’s arrest has ignited a firestorm of reactions. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaking on Fox News, condemned Dugan’s actions, particularly in light of the domestic violence charges against Flores-Ruiz. Bondi described how Flores-Ruiz allegedly “beat up a woman so badly” and attacked another man, sending both to the hospital. “Shame on her,” Bondi said, accusing Dugan of prioritizing a criminal defendant over victims.
The Trump administration also weighed in, with Department of Homeland Security officials accusing Dugan of “intentionally misdirecting federal agents” in a “shocking and shameful” act. Meanwhile, protests erupted outside the FBI’s Milwaukee office, where a state lawmaker rallied demonstrators, arguing that the judiciary serves as a “check to unchecked executive power” and that “functioning democracies do not lock up judges.”
Dugan’s legal team, while declining to comment extensively, expressed disappointment in the Supreme Court’s “unilateral” decision and asserted her innocence. A statement issued on her behalf vowed that she would “defend herself vigorously and looks forward to being exonerated.”
Who Is Hannah Dugan?
Elected to the Milwaukee Circuit Court in 2016, Hannah Dugan has been a prominent figure in Wisconsin’s legal community. Known for her outspokenness, she has appeared at public events, including a pro-Ukraine rally in 2022 and a Milwaukee Bar Association forum in 2016. However, her actions on April 18 have thrust her into a national spotlight, raising complex questions about judicial authority, immigration policy, and public safety.
A Divided Response
The case has exposed deep divisions. Critics argue that Dugan’s alleged interference with federal agents undermines the rule of law, especially in a case involving a defendant accused of violent crimes. Supporters, however, see her actions as a stand against aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, particularly within the sanctuary of a courthouse. The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s order reflects the gravity of the situation, prioritizing public trust in the judiciary while the legal process unfolds.
As Dugan prepares for her day in court, the nation watches closely. Her case is more than a legal battle—it’s a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration, judicial independence, and the balance of power in a polarized America.
