Judging the Judge: Trump DOJ Goes Courthouse Hunting

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Entrance to Judge Hannah C. Dugan’s courtroom at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, where she was accused of aiding a man in evading ICE agents
A sign is posted on the doors of Judge Hannah Dugan courtroom Friday, April 25, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
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In a dramatic escalation of the ‘s crackdown, the FBI arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, accusing her of helping a man evade ICE agents inside the courthouse.

Court documents say Judge Dugan grew angry when agents arrived, allegedly leading the man and his lawyer out a back jury door meant only for deputies and in-custody defendants.

Milwaukee County official speaks at press conference following the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, surrounded by reporters and TV cameras
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson addresses the media Friday, April 25, 2025, in Milwaukee after county Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on courthouse grounds. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Dugan faces charges of obstructing justice and harboring an undocumented individual. She’s out of custody and blasting the arrest as political retaliation.

Wisconsin’s Democratic governor slammed Trump’s Justice Department for undermining the judiciary, while Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., called the arrest of a sitting judge a “gravely serious and drastic move” that “threatens to breach” the separation of powers.

The move mirrors a Trump-era case in —a prosecution that President Biden’s Justice Department later dropped.


Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.

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AURN NEWS WITH EBONY MCMORRIS