A United States judge, Hannah Dugan of Milwaukee County, has been arrested by the FBI for allegedly helping an undocumented migrant evade federal agents. The arrest has sparked a wave of controversy across the U.S., deepening the political divide over immigration policy and the powers of federal law enforcement.
FBI Director Kash Patel, a Trump appointee, announced the arrest in a now-deleted social media post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Judge Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject” they were attempting to arrest at her courthouse.
Although the post was briefly taken down, Patel reposted it with more details, accusing Dugan of obstructing justice. “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,” he wrote.
Judge Dugan was charged with obstruction of justice after reportedly helping a Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, escape from federal immigration authorities. Flores-Ruiz, who was facing minor criminal charges, was in court last Friday when federal agents arrived to detain him.
According to charging documents, Dugan became visibly upset when the agents arrived and allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz through a side door used by jurors—away from the agents waiting in the hallway. She has been on the bench since 2016 after being elected by the public.
Judge Dugan appeared in federal court on Friday but made no public comments. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, said in court that she “wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest” and stressed that the judge’s actions “were not made in the interest of public safety.”
The incident has triggered strong reactions from both major U.S. political parties. Many Republicans praised the arrest, while Democrats condemned it as politically motivated and dangerous.
Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General and another Trump ally, defended the FBI’s actions and issued a stern warning to others. “We’re sending a very strong message today,” Bondi said during an appearance on Fox News. “If you are harboring a fugitive, we don’t care who you are… we will come after you and prosecute you.”
She added, “Anyone who is illegally in this country—we will find you.”
Meanwhile, Democrats have raised alarm about what they see as a growing abuse of federal power under the Trump administration. Congressman Darren Soto called the arrest “third world country dictator type of stuff” and predicted that the case against Judge Dugan would be dismissed in court.
Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said the arrest shows how Trump is “having his federal goons arrest a duly elected judge,” adding, “Brick by brick, Trump is trying to take apart our democracy.”
Legal experts and immigrant rights advocates argue that the Trump administration is increasingly pushing the limits of the law in its aggressive immigration crackdown. Several federal and state judges across the U.S. have previously blocked Trump’s executive orders on deportation, citing constitutional concerns.
The tension between the judiciary and the White House has been building for months. In one recent case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government must allow a deported Maryland resident to return from a prison in El Salvador. However, Attorney General Bondi declared that the man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, “is not coming back.”
Critics say such defiance of court orders undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.
Adding fuel to the fire, reports emerged this week that a former magistrate judge and his wife in New Mexico were also arrested for allegedly harboring an undocumented migrant linked to a notorious Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua.
Supporters of the Trump administration argue that these arrests are necessary to protect American citizens. Republican Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger stated, “The corruption and determination of these anti-American activist judges to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens is appalling. Thankfully, a stand is being taken against them.”
However, immigration experts warn that targeting judges could have serious consequences for the independence of the judiciary. “This is not just about immigration,” said one U.S. legal scholar. “It’s about whether we still respect the balance of powers that the Constitution created.”
As the legal battle unfolds, Judge Dugan’s future remains uncertain. Her case is expected to draw intense national attention as it touches on the highly sensitive issues of immigration, federal authority, and judicial independence.
In the meantime, Flores-Ruiz remains in custody, and the political drama surrounding the case shows no signs of calming down. The outcome of this case may not only affect Dugan’s career but also set a precedent for how far the government can go in pursuing its immigration agenda—even if it means locking horns with the judiciary.
