Background on the Judge and Her Actions
Hannah Dugan, a judge from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was arrested on Friday for allegedly obstructing the arrest of a Mexican migrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. This incident marks another clash between the White House and courts over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Trump Administration vs. Judiciary
The Trump administration has faced numerous federal and state judges who have suspended some of its measures, particularly those related to the president’s attempts to exercise unprecedented powers in deporting migrants, sometimes without due process.
Judge Dugan’s Alleged Actions
According to court documents, Judge Dugan was visibly upset and had a confrontational attitude when immigration agents arrived to arrest Flores-Ruiz. She allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom through a juror exit door to keep him away from the agents.
FBI’s Involvement and Statements
Kash Patel, the Director of the FBI, confirmed Dugan’s arrest for obstruction after evidence showed she hindered a migratory arrest operation last week. Patel stated on social media that Dugan intentionally diverted the agents from apprehending Flores-Ruiz, allowing him to evade arrest. He also mentioned that the migrant was eventually detained following a foot chase, but Dugan’s obstruction increased the danger for those present.
Attorney General’s Response
Pam Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, confirmed Dugan’s arrest and emphasized that “no one is above the law.” She warned those harboring undocumented individuals, stating that they would be pursued and prosecuted. Bondi appeared on Fox News, sending a strong message that those assisting illegal immigrants would face consequences.
Court Appearance and Reactions
Judge Dugan appeared before a federal court in Milwaukee on Friday, where she did not make any public comments. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, informed the court that Dugan regrets her arrest and asserts it was not for public safety reasons.
Political Response
The incident has sparked criticism from Democrats and praise from some Republicans.
- Democratic Criticism: Representative Darren Soto called the arrest “something you’d expect from a third-world dictator.”
- Republican Support: Ken Martin, Chair of the National Democratic Committee, expressed alarm over Trump ordering “his thugs” to arrest an elected judge. Diana Harshbarger, a Republican congresswoman, criticized the corrupt and anti-American behavior of activist judges prioritizing illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens.
Related Incident in New Mexico
On Thursday, a former New Mexico judge and his wife were taken into custody after federal agents raided their home, suspecting they were harboring an undocumented migrant believed to be a member of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua, according to U.S. media reports.
