Agencies Washington

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday arrested a Milwaukee County Circuit judge and charged her in federal court for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest, CNN reported. Judge Hannah Dugan is facing two charges for hindering and concealing the person from arrest. She appeared in court initially and was released.

The arrest on federal charges is an escalation in the Trump administration's attention on the conduct of judges, especially as it is connected to immigration enforcement. The Justice Department has repeatedly said that it will carry out an investigation against local officials who do not assist federal authorities on immigration matters. 

FBI Director Kash Patel said that the FBI arrested Judge Dugan as they believe that she intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse to evade arrest. He praised FBI agents for arresting him and said that the judge's obstruction caused increased danger to the public, CNN reported.

In a post on X, Patel stated, "Just NOW, the FBI arrested Judge Hannah Dugan out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on charges of obstruction -- after evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week. We believe Judge Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, allowing the subject -- an illegal alien -- to evade arrest." 

"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. We will have more to share soon. Excellent work @FBIMilwaukee," he added.