In Madison, Wisconsin, the controversy surrounding Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan continues to unfold as the Trump administration contests the dismissal of criminal charges against her. The charges stem from an incident where she allegedly assisted a man wanted by U.S. immigration agents to avoid arrest within her courthouse.
The U.S. Department of Justice has formally requested that a federal judge deny Dugan’s legal team’s motion to dismiss the charges. The department argues that granting the motion would set a dangerous precedent, suggesting that judges could potentially be exempt from adhering to the law. Dugan’s trial is scheduled for July 21, highlighting the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and its critics regarding the former president’s stringent immigration policies. Critics argue that the legal actions against Dugan are excessive, accusing the administration of using her case as a deterrent against judicial opposition to immigration clampdowns.
Judge Dugan faces charges including one count of misdemeanor for concealing an individual to prevent arrest and a felony count of obstruction. Prosecutors allege that she facilitated the escape of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was in the courtroom for a domestic violence case and wanted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for illegal reentry into the United States. Dugan’s potential penalties include a prison sentence of up to six years and a fine reaching $350,000 if convicted on all counts.
Dugan asserts her innocence, with her attorneys arguing that she acted in her capacity as a judge, claiming immunity from prosecution. They also contend that federal authorities infringing on state legal proceedings disrupt Wisconsin’s sovereignty. However, the Justice Department countered these claims by stating that dismissing the charges would imply judges have the unchecked power to interfere with federal law enforcement actions.
According to an affidavit, Dugan allegedly expressed anger when informed about the ICE agents’ presence and directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of her courtroom through a secretive exit. Flores-Ruiz was later apprehended outside the courthouse after a brief pursuit. The incident draws parallels to a similar case involving a Massachusetts judge accused of helping an individual escape a courthouse to evade immigration officers during the first Trump administration, which was eventually dismissed.
The legal battle has prompted the establishment of a defense fund backed by Dugan supporters, raising over $137,000 from more than 2,800 donors in a short time frame. Her defense is led by notable attorneys, including former U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic and ex-U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement. The fund aims to protect judicial independence and transparency, as emphasized by its trustee, former Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske.
It’s notable that the fund maintains strict guidelines, prohibiting donations from specific individuals, such as Milwaukee County residents, attorneys practicing in the county, lobbyists, and others with potential conflicts of interest. Judge Dugan is not obliged to disclose donor names until her annual financial report submission in April.