In a dramatic move that has captured national attention, FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan outside the county courthouse on April 25, 2025. The seldom-seen arrest of a sitting judge has reignited debates over judicial autonomy and executive reach, marking a deepening schism between federal enforcement ambitions and local judicial discretion.
Judge Dugan, who has served since her 2016 election and earned a reputation for representing underserved communities through her work with Legal Action of Wisconsin and the Legal Aid Society, reportedly confronted ICE agents during a court session on April 18. When informed of their intent to arrest a defendant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz—a previously deported Mexican immigrant facing misdemeanor battery charges—Dugan challenged the agents’ lack of a judicial warrant and allegedly directed the defendant and his attorney to exit via a restricted side door.
Flores-Ruiz was ultimately apprehended after fleeing the courthouse and leading agents on a brief foot chase. In the aftermath, the FBI arrested Dugan and charged her with obstruction of justice and “concealing an individual to prevent arrest,” both felony counts. She was released on her own recognizance and temporarily suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court to maintain confidence in the judiciary.
The arrest has prompted strong reactions across the political spectrum. Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Senator Tammy Baldwin condemned it as a troubling encroachment on judicial independence and a symbolic escalation in the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy. In contrast, Republicans in Congress have called for Dugan’s resignation, accusing her of abusing her judicial position to obstruct law enforcement.
Legal experts are warning that the case could set a precedent with far-reaching implications. A University of Wisconsin political scientist noted that while the allegations against Dugan may be legally grounded, the politically charged context—especially the venue of a state courthouse—makes it difficult to disentangle legal responsibility from political theater.
Looking ahead, Dugan faces trial on December 15, 2025, with jury selection beginning on December 11 and 12. If convicted, she could face up to six years in prison and substantial fines. Meanwhile, her defense has already filed motions to dismiss the charges, citing judicial immunity, the nature of her official duties, and state sovereignty protections under the Tenth Amendment.
