What We Know About Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan’s Arrest

F.B.I. agents arrested a Milwaukee judge, Judge Hannah C. Dugan, on Friday for allegedly obstructing justice by directing an undocumented immigrant out of her courtroom through a side door while federal immigration agents were waiting to arrest him.

The arrest of Judge Dugan sparked condemnation from Democratic leaders and led to protests in the Wisconsin city.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the arrest, stating that it sent a strong message to judges that obstructing justice, such as “escorting a criminal defendant out a back door,” will be prosecuted by the Trump administration.

Following the arrest, F.B.I. Director Kash Patel posted a photo of Judge Dugan in handcuffs, emphasizing that “No one is above the law.”

The arrest of Judge Dugan has raised several questions, with many remaining unanswered. Here’s what we know so far.

What happened on the day of Judge Dugan’s arrest?

On April 18, federal officers arrived at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national attending a hearing on battery charges.

Before the hearing, Judge Dugan was informed by a lawyer about ICE agents outside her courtroom. She then spoke with the agents and directed them to obtain a judicial warrant and consult the chief judge of Milwaukee County.

One of the officers spoke to Chief Judge Carl Ashley, who indicated that courthouse hallways were suitable areas for arrests. Judge Dugan then escorted Mr. Flores-Ruiz through a door to a nonpublic area, where he was later arrested by federal agents.

A week after the incident, Judge Dugan was arrested by F.B.I. agents and charged with obstructing immigration officers and preventing an arrest.

Who is Judge Dugan?

Judge Dugan, 65, has dedicated her career to providing legal aid to underserved populations, focusing on housing and public benefits. She was elected judge in 2016 and ran unopposed for re-election in 2022.

Ann Jacobs, a Milwaukee lawyer, described Judge Dugan as a judge who follows the rules diligently. After her court appearance, Judge Dugan was released on her own recognizance, with her legal team planning to challenge the charges.

Who is Mr. Flores-Ruiz, and what happened in his case?

Mr. Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national in his early 30s, was at the courthouse for a hearing on misdemeanor battery charges. He also faces a federal illegal re-entry charge.

Mr. Flores-Ruiz was deported in 2013 and returned to the U.S. soon after. He has been living and working in Milwaukee for about 12 years.

Mr. Flores-Ruiz is currently detained in the Ozaukee County jail. The arrests of Judge Dugan and Mr. Flores-Ruiz have raised concerns about the impact on immigration cases and the court system.

Ann Rohrer, a protester at the F.B.I. building, expressed concerns about the state of democracy in the U.S. following Judge Dugan’s arrest.

She joined hundreds of others in protesting the arrest, stating that the values of democracy are under attack.

Devlin Barrett, Julie Bosman, and Robert Chiarito contributed to this report.