“Rise Up”: Democrat Senators Erupt in Anger Over Trump Admin’s Arrest of Wisconsin Judge for Helping Illegal Alien Evade Arrest by ICE

Image via Hannah Dugan for Judge.

| Published April 26, 2025

The recent arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has ignited a fierce national debate over the balance between federal immigration enforcement and judicial independence. Judge Dugan faces charges of obstructing a government proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest after allegedly assisting an undocumented immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in evading Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.​

According to the Department of Justice, on April 18, Judge Dugan allowed Flores-Ruiz, who was facing misdemeanor battery charges, to exit the courthouse through a jury door, bypassing ICE agents waiting to detain him. Flores-Ruiz was subsequently apprehended outside the courthouse after a brief pursuit. Judge Dugan’s legal team has stated she will vigorously defend herself against the charges.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) labeled the arrest as a “red alert moment,” urging collective action against what he perceives as executive overreach. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) emphasized the importance of the separation of powers, stating, “There are no kings in America,” and warned against the dangerous precedent of arresting sitting judges. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) echoed these sentiments, highlighting the threat to democratic principles posed by such actions.​

The Trump administration, however, defends the arrest as a necessary step in upholding federal immigration laws. Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted that no individual, including judges, should obstruct law enforcement operations. FBI Director Kash Patel initially announced the arrest on social media, referring to Flores-Ruiz as an “illegal alien,” though the post was later deleted.​

This case underscores the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local judicial authority, raising critical questions about the limits of executive power and the role of the judiciary in safeguarding individual rights.

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Here are the pros and cons of the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan in connection with allegedly obstructing a federal immigration operation:

🇺🇸 Pros

1. No One is Above the Law

• Conservatives believe judges, like all Americans, must follow the law. Helping someone evade federal authorities—especially an illegal immigrant—is a serious offense.

2. Immigration Enforcement Must Be Respected

• Supporting ICE and federal immigration laws is key to national sovereignty. Obstructing these efforts undermines the rule of law and encourages lawlessness.

3. Sends a Strong Message to Sanctuary Jurisdictions

• The arrest serves as a warning to local officials and judges who attempt to defy or sabotage federal immigration operations.

4. Reclaims Accountability in the Courts

• Conservative voices argue that activist judges who insert personal politics into legal proceedings should be held accountable—just like any other citizen.

5. Shows Strength from the DOJ

• Attorney General Pam Bondi’s actions show the administration’s resolve in putting America’s laws and citizens first, not bending to political correctness or judicial activism.

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🚫 Conservative View – Cons

1. Could Appear Politically Motivated

• Even if justified, arresting a sitting judge could be used by the left to fuel a narrative of authoritarianism, risking public support.

2. Risks Judicial Overreaction

• Judges across the country may overcorrect or become more combative toward federal agencies, increasing friction in the justice system.

3. Fuel for Media Outrage

• Mainstream outlets and political opponents will likely weaponize this case to portray conservatives as anti-democracy or anti-judiciary.

4. May Distract from Bigger Immigration Goals

• The media storm around the judge could take focus away from larger, more pressing issues like border security and cartel influence.

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🏛 Conclusion

The arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan is a justified and necessary step to uphold the rule of law in an era of rising defiance from sanctuary jurisdictions. No government official should have the power to obstruct lawful federal operations, especially when it comes to national security and immigration enforcement. While the left may decry it as political, conservatives see it as a long-overdue assertion that the law applies equally to everyone—judges included. Upholding order, protecting the borders, and reinforcing accountability are not just legal obligations—they are patriotic duties.

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SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT –  “Rise Up”: Democrat Senators Erupt in Anger Over Trump Admin’s Arrest of Wisconsin Judge for Helping Illegal Alien Evade Arrest by ICE

REUTERS – US charges Milwaukee judge with obstructing immigration arrest in Trump crackdown

NEWSBREAK – Democrats Erupt After Trump’s FBI Arrests Sitting Judge

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RELATED: READ: Shocking Criminal Complaint Details Wisconsin Judge’s Angry Confrontation with Agents as She Obstructed ICE Operation

Milwaukee judge Hannah Dugan flees reporter after being arrested by FBI for obstructing ICE arrest / screen image

The shocking criminal complaint detailing Judge Hannah Dugan’s actions leading up to her arrest and felony charges was unsealed on Friday. (Read the full criminal complaint here).

As previously reported, a Milwaukee County judge was arrested by the FBI for obstructing an ICE arrest last week.

According to the FBI, Judge Hannah Dugan obstructed an immigration arrest operation last week. Dugan became angry when she found out that ICE agents were waiting outside of her courtroom last week to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien involved in a domestic abuse case she was overseeing. She allegedly directed Flores-Ruiz to exit the courthouse through a private jury door to evade arrest.

FBI Director Kash Patel said Judge Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested at her courthouse.”

US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Judge Dugan screamed at immigration officers last week before helping the illegal alien evade arrest.

“The judge learned that ICE was outside … She goes out in the hallway, screams at the immigration officers — she’s furious, visibly shaking, upset — sends them off to talk to the chief judge. She comes back in the courtroom … takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers, takes them out a private exit and tells them to leave,” Bondi said on Fox News on Friday.

WATCH:

 

The criminal complaint details Judge Dugan’s actions to intimidate federal agents and how she helped the illegal alien evade arrest.

According to the criminal complaint, six Milwaukee ICE ERO Task Force officers arrived at the courthouse to effectuate the arrest “in as low-key and safe of a manner as possible.”

“The courtroom deputy explained that at approximately 8:15 am, FBI agents advised that they were working with ICE and were planning to arrest Flores-Ruiz. The courtroom deputy asked that the agents wait outside and arrest Flores-Ruiz after the hearing. The agents agreed and left the courtroom,” the complaint read.

While the arrest team members waited outside the courtroom, a female public defender approached and took photographs of the officers.

Judge Dugan learned of ICE’s presence and confronted the arrest team!

“Judge DUGAN became visibly angry, commented that the situation was “absurd,” left the bench, and entered chambers. At the time, Flores-Ruiz was seated in the gallery of the courtroom,” the complaint read.

The angry judge demanded to see a judicial warrant and told the arrest team they needed to speak with the Chief Judge.

“Witnesses uniformly reported that Judge DUGAN was visibly upset and had a confrontational, angry demeanor. Judge DUGAN addressed Deportation Officer A and asked if Deportation Officer A was present for a court appearance. When Deportation Officer A responded, “no,” Judge DUGAN stated that Deportation Officer A would need to leave the courthouse. Deportation Officer A stated that Deportation Officer A was there to effectuate an arrest. Judge DUGAN asked if Deportation Officer A had a judicial warrant, and Deportation Officer A responded, “No, I have an administrative warrant,”” The complaint read.

The courtroom deputy said Judge Dugan was trying to expedite Flores-Ruiz’s hearing so she could quickly usher him out of the building.

It was later revealed that Judge Dugan adjourned Flores-Ruiz’s hearing so she could discreetly escort him through a “jury door” to avoid his arrest.

“The courtroom deputy then saw Judge DUGAN get up and heard Judge DUGAN say something like “Wait, come with me.” Despite having been advised of the administrative warrant for the arrest of Flores-Ruiz, Judge DUGAN then escorted Flores-Ruiz and his counsel out of the courtroom through the “jury door,” which leads to a nonpublic area of the courthouse,” the complaint said.

After adjourning the hearing, Judge Dugan also commanded Flores-Ruiz’s attorneys to leave through the back door of the courtroom.

A Victim Witness Specialist (VWS) said Judge Dugan “exited through the jury door with Flores-Ruiz and the Hispanic woman. The VWS was concerned because Flores-Ruiz’s case had not yet been called, and the victims were waiting.”

Flores-Ruiz was arrested after a foot chase.

The judge put ICE agents in danger rather than allowing them to peacefully and swiftly arrest Flores-Ruiz in the hallway of the courthouse.

The DOJ announced Judge Dugan was charged with “obstruction of proceedings before a department or agency of the United States, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and concealing a person to prevent arrest, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.”

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SOURCE: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – READ: Shocking Criminal Complaint Details Wisconsin Judge’s Angry Confrontation with Agents as She Obstructed ICE Operation

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