Federal agents arrested Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday, charging her with obstruction of justice after she allegedly helped an undocumented immigrant evade arrest, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel announced the arrest in a now-deleted post on X, stating that Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away” from Eduardo Flores Ruiz, who was being sought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during an operation at her courthouse on April 18.
“Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public,” Patel wrote in the since-deleted post.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had reported earlier this week that federal authorities were investigating Dugan’s conduct after ICE agents alleged interference during their attempted arrest. ICE and the FBI declined immediate requests for comment on Friday, and Judge Dugan’s office also declined to provide a statement.
The arrest marks a significant escalation in President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy during his second term, with FBI Director Patel leading a renewed focus on clamping down on what the administration calls “institutional obstruction” of federal immigration efforts.
Patel, a Trump loyalist who faced opposition from Senate Democrats during his confirmation earlier this year, has vowed to pursue “any official, at any level,” who interferes with federal law enforcement actions.
The circumstances surrounding the now-deleted announcement – including why the FBI chose to initially publicize and then swiftly remove the post – remain unclear.
Judge Dugan, a former public defender and civil rights advocate, has served on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court since 2016. Her arrest is expected to spark significant political debate, particularly around issues of immigration enforcement, judicial independence, and the use of federal power under the Trump administration.
As of Friday morning, no formal charges had been filed publicly beyond the announcement of obstruction allegations. Legal experts anticipate swift court proceedings given the high-profile nature of the case.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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