Congress Weighs In on FBI Arrest of Wisconsin Judge 👉 Updatem News

Democrats back Judge Dugan, while Republicans cautioned others who attempt to obstruct federal immigration enforcement.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle weighed in on the April 25 arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X that Judge Dugan was arrested on charges of obstruction based on a belief that she had “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse.”

The subject was illegal immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was in court to face misdemeanor battery domestic violence charges.

According to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the judge allegedly helped Flores-Ruiz exit through a back door of her chambers after she learned that federal immigration agents were outside the courthouse waiting to arrest him.

The judge was taken into custody on court grounds for obstructing a government proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest.

Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national, was also arrested near the courthouse after being “chased down” by federal agents, the FBI director said in his post.

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have repeatedly warned about the consequences of failing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement operations.

Border czar Tom Homan told Newsmax on February 22, “If you impede our efforts, if you actively impede the arrest of an illegal alien, I’ll ask [Attorney General] Pam Bondi to prosecute that person. We’re not playing games here.”

Republicans React

Republican lawmakers who represent Wisconsin criticized the judge’s alleged actions in helping an illegal immigrant evade arrest.

Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) cautioned others who attempt to obstruct federal immigration enforcement operations and noted that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, previously supported efforts to impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“If you help illegal aliens evade arrest, you will be ARRESTED,” Tiffany said in a statement. “State employees, think twice before following [the governor’s] illegal memo directing you to block ICE agents from doing their job.”

The memo was issue April 22 to advise state employees how to respond if ICE or other federal agents show up at their workplace. Employees are told to immediately call their supervisors, not answer any questions, and prevent agents from entering nonpublic areas or accessing any files.

Wisconsin state Rep. Bob Donovan wrote on X: “By now, I’m sure [Dugan] regrets her decision, but she can only blame herself for her alleged irresponsible actions that created this mess to begin with.”

Rep. Tony Wied (R-Wis.) called for Dugan to step down from the bench.

“Absolutely unacceptable,” Wied said on X. “Not only are activist judges trying to thwart the president’s agenda, now they are actively breaking the law to protect illegal aliens. Judge Dugan should resign immediately.”

The Trump administration has said that this is another example of “activist judges” who have interfered with the president’s immigration enforcement priorities. The White House has accused some judges of acting like judicial activists rather than arbitrators of law in cases involving the president’s illegal-immigration crackdown.

The incident followed the arrests of a former judge and his wife just the day before. Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy Cano, were detained by federal agents in their New Mexico home on April 24 following accusations that they had an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member living in their house.

Homan wrote on X that “nobody should be surprised” by the arrests because actively impeding ICE enforcement efforts by harboring or concealing illegal immigrants is a felony. “You will be prosecuted,” he wrote.

Democrats Respond

While Republicans applauded the arrests, Democrats back Judge Dugan and her alleged actions and accused the administration of undermining the judicial branch.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) said in a statement on X that “the President’s administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach” separation of powers.

Rep. Gwen Moore released a statement accusing the Trump administration of “willingness to weaponize federal law enforcement.” Moore, who represents Wisconsin’s Fourth Congressional District, said such an arrest is a “serious matter” that would “require a high legal bar.”

Wisconsin state Rep. Ryan Clancy suggested that Dugan was targeted because of her disagreement with the administration’s policies.

“We continue to stand with Judge Dugan against yet another authoritarian attempt to silence dissent, punish dissenters, and intimidate everyone else from ever joining them,” Clancy wrote in a statement on X.

For his part, Wisconsin Gov. Evers said in a statement that people who are suspected of criminal activity are innocent until proven guilty.

He then accused the Trump administration of using “dangerous rhetoric to attack and attempt to undermine our judiciary at every level” while also noting the importance of ensuring accountability through law enforcement.

“I have deep respect for the rule of law, our nation’s judiciary, the importance of judges making decisions impartially without fear or favor, and the efforts of law enforcement to hold people accountable if they commit a crime,” the governor wrote.

The governor said he will continue to have faith in the justice system and allow the case to play out in court.

Dugan briefly appeared in Milwaukee federal court on Friday before being released from custody.

“Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety,” her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said in court.

Her next court appearance is May 15.

Original News Source Link – Epoch Times

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