


The Milwaukee judge who put ICE officers in danger by helping an illegal immigrant try and evade arrest last week has just been suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Here’s the report from the AP:
The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended a judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities, saying Tuesday that it is in the public interest to relieve her of her duties as she faces two federal charges.
The FBI took Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan into custody Friday morning at the county courthouse. She has been charged with concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.
In its two-page order, the state Supreme Court said it was acting on its own initiative and not responding to a request from anyone. Liberal justices control the court 4-3.
Dugan’s attorney, Craig Mastantuono, had no immediate comment. A state court spokesperson said that a reserve judge began filling in for Dugan on Monday for an indefinite period.
Dugan is accused of escorting the man and his lawyer from her court through the jury door last week after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the building and seeking his arrest. The man was taken into custody outside after a foot chase.
Court documents suggest Dugan was alerted to the agents’ presence by her clerk, who was informed by an attorney that they appeared to be in the hallway.
An FBI affidavit says Dugan was “visibly angry” over the agents’ arrival and called the situation “absurd” before leaving the bench and retreating to her chambers. It says she and another judge later approached members of the arrest team inside the courthouse with what witnesses described as a “confrontational, angry demeanor.”
After a back-and-forth with officers over the warrant for the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, she demanded they speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom, the affidavit says.
After directing the agents to the chief judge’s office, investigators say, Dugan returned to the courtroom and was heard saying words to the effect of “wait, come with me” before ushering Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through the jury door into a nonpublic area.
I know it’s a liberal court, but this is a good decision to suspend her. It also sends a message to other judges in Wisconsin who are looking for guidance on ICE and illegals. Good for them.