The Wisconsin Supreme Court has stepped in to suspend Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, who is now facing federal charges for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade arrest by federal agents. The decision, announced Tuesday, temporarily removes her from the bench and sends a powerful message: no one — not even a judge — is above the law.
This move comes after the FBI arrested Judge Dugan on Friday right inside the courthouse. She’s now charged with two serious offenses: concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding — both federal crimes.
The high court’s order, only two pages long, made it clear that this suspension wasn’t requested by anyone — it was done on the court’s own initiative. The justices said the action was necessary “to protect public confidence in Wisconsin courts.”
“It is ordered … that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan is temporarily prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in the state of Wisconsin,” the justices wrote.
According to an FBI affidavit, Judge Dugan reportedly escorted an illegal immigrant — Eduardo Flores-Ruiz — and his attorney out of her courtroom through a restricted jury door after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were in the building and planning to make an arrest.
The incident happened just last week. The affidavit says Dugan’s court clerk warned her ICE agents were nearby. The judge was reportedly “visibly angry” about the agents’ presence, allegedly calling the situation “absurd” before storming off to her chambers. She later confronted the federal agents inside the courthouse, reportedly displaying a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”
After demanding the officers speak with the chief judge — a demand she delivered in person — Dugan allegedly returned to her courtroom and told Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer, “wait, come with me,” before leading them through a nonpublic exit. That route, the affidavit notes, is typically reserved for court staff, juries, and in-custody defendants escorted by deputies — never free individuals or defense attorneys.
Shortly after, ICE agents chased and detained Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse.
Fallout from the Left
Predictably, left-wing activists and Democrat leaders were furious — not at the judge’s alleged misconduct, but at the Trump administration’s enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Protesters gathered outside the FBI’s Milwaukee office over the weekend, claiming the arrest of Judge Dugan was politically motivated. They argued that the federal government was “chilling the judiciary” — even though the case is based on specific legal allegations and backed by sworn FBI testimony.
Legal Firepower Behind Dugan
Despite the serious charges, Judge Dugan has assembled a high-powered legal team. Her attorneys include:
- Craig Mastantuono, a local defense attorney;
- Paul Clement, a well-known conservative attorney and former U.S. Solicitor General; and
- Steve Biskupic, former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, appointed by President George W. Bush.
Her arraignment is scheduled for May 15.
While Democrats scream about judicial “chilling,” the facts speak for themselves. A sitting judge is accused of using her position to help an illegal immigrant flee from federal arrest, possibly breaking federal law in the process. The Wisconsin Supreme Court — led by liberal justices — agreed that Dugan must be sidelined while the legal process plays out.
This is about upholding the rule of law, not politics. Americans deserve judges who follow the law, not ones who help others break it.
