FBI Arrests Sitting Judge for Allegedly Helping Immigrant Avoid ICE... In Her Own Courtroom?!

Alright folks, let's talk about the delicate balance between federal law enforcement and the sanctity of our courtrooms. Or rather, let's talk about how the Trump administration apparently decided to bulldoze right over it. In a move that has legal experts and civil rights advocates doing a massive double-take, the FBI arrested a sitting Milwaukee County judge, Hannah Dugan, last week.

The charge? Not corruption, not bribery, but allegedly interfering with federal agents – specifically, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – who were trying to arrest someone appearing in her courtroom.

According to reports from Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) and KPFA citing the government's allegations, Judge Dugan didn't physically block the agents. Instead, the feds claim that after being informed ICE agents were present with a warrant for someone in her court, she allegedly:

• Moved that specific person's case to the front of the line.

• Canceled the proceeding without telling the lawyer for the US government who was present.

• Walked the defendant out through a side entrance leading to a non-public hallway.

• Told the person to leave quickly.

(It's worth noting the reports also mention ICE did eventually apprehend the individual, so the alleged escape attempt failed).

Now, let's unpack the multiple layers of WTF here. First, ICE making arrests inside courthouses has long been a deeply controversial tactic. Critics argue it terrifies immigrants (documented or not) from seeking justice, reporting crimes, or appearing for their own required court dates, ultimately undermining public safety and the legal process itself. It turns courthouses from neutral grounds into potential traps.

Second, having federal agents arrest a state judge based on actions taken within her own courtroom while managing her docket is an extraordinary escalation. It raises profound questions about judicial independence. Can judges no longer manage their courtrooms and ensure orderly proceedings without fear of federal obstruction charges if it involves immigration enforcement? This isn't entirely unprecedented – a Massachusetts judge faced similar federal charges during Trump's first term for allegedly helping someone evade ICE in court. That case set off alarm bells then, and this Wisconsin arrest rings them even louder.

The potential chilling effect is undeniable. As WPR noted, another Wisconsin judge, Monica Isham, reportedly threatened to effectively go on strike and shut down her courtroom unless she received assurances about protection from federal agent interference. That's how seriously this perceived encroachment on the judiciary is being taken.

This arrest isn't just about one judge or one defendant; it's about the fundamental relationship between state courts, federal enforcement, and the rights of individuals within the justice system. Is this an attack on judicial independence aimed at intimidating judges who might be seen as sympathetic to immigrants? Is it a necessary enforcement action against obstruction? Or is it just another example of the Trump administration's aggressive, norm-breaking approach to immigration, consequences be damned?

Whatever the ultimate legal outcome for Judge Dugan, the spectacle of a sitting judge being arrested by the FBI over courtroom conduct related to ICE is a jarring and deeply concerning Daily Dose of WTF.

Sources:

• WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio). "Arrest of Wisconsin judge could affect how justice system operates, political scientist argues." April 28, 2025.

• KPFA / Democracy Now! "Democracy Now 6am - April 28, 2025." (Mentioning the "Bizarre" Arrest of Milwaukee Judge). April 28, 2025.