In brief
During the trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, prosecutors claim that she obstructed federal agents attempting to arrest an immigrant by guiding them away from the suspect. Dugan’s defense argues she merely followed courthouse policy and did not intend to interfere with the arrest. The case reflects ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — On Tuesday, the second day of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s trial, prosecutors laid out their arguments claiming she acted rudely and obstructively towards federal officers who were attempting to arrest an immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, in her courtroom.Dugan faces charges of obstruction and concealment related to the incident that took place in April. It is claimed that she cleared a path for Flores-Ruiz to escape by leading federal agents to the chief judge's office instead. This trial is instigated by heightened concerns over judicial responses to immigration enforcement amid the stricter policies of the Trump administration.Testimonies from agents reveal that there was confusion and division among team members when Dugan instructed them to speak to the chief judge, causing concern about their readiness to make the arrest safely. FBI Agent Phillip Jackling expressed worries that they would not be able to handle the arrest efficiently after Dugan's intervention.Dugan appeared upset as she confronted agents, allegedly instructing them to leave the area. Another agent described the moment as tense, noting it set the officers up poorly to deal with the situation.As the trial unfolds, Dugan’s defense claims she was simply adhering to a policy that directs courthouse staff to refer immigration agents to their supervisors, arguing she did not have intent to obstruct the arrest. The prosecution, on the other hand, is determined to show that Dugan understood the gravity of her actions and engaged in a direct effort to hinder federal enforcement actions.Flores-Ruiz, who was facing state battery charges, was arrested after the courthouse incident and later deported. The trial is expected to continue through Thursday, with potential sentences reaching up to five years for the obstruction charge.
