Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI on Friday, facing charges of obstruction for allegedly assisting an undocumented immigrant in evading arrest.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, who initially shared the news in a now-deleted social media post, Judge Dugan is accused of intentionally misdirecting federal agents away from Eduardo Flores Ruiz, the individual they intended to apprehend, following his appearance in her courtroom.
The incident occurred during an immigration enforcement operation last week. Patel stated that Dugan’s actions allowed Flores Ruiz to initially evade capture, though he was eventually arrested after a pursuit on foot. The FBI director emphasised that Dugan’s alleged obstruction heightened the risk to public safety.
This arrest marks a significant escalation in the enforcement of immigration policies, as it is the first known instance of the Trump administration charging a local official with interfering in immigration enforcement efforts. Judge Dugan, who has served on the Milwaukee County bench for nearly a decade, was apprehended at the courthouse early Friday morning.
The Justice Department and FBI have not provided further comments on the case, which is still unfolding. The arrest has sparked attention due to its implications for immigration enforcement and the role of local officials in such operations. As the situation develops, it is expected to draw scrutiny from both legal and political circles.