‘Something we should never tolerate’: Over 150 ex-judges blast Trump admin for arresting Wisconsin judge

FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan in April on charges of interfering with immigration officials. The arrest happened because of claims that Judge Dugan told an undocumented immigrant to exit her courtroom through a side door while federal agents were waiting to take him into custody. This led to a strong reaction from more than 150 former state and federal judges who signed a letter criticizing the Trump administration’s approach to the situation.

The letter, sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi, described the arrest as an effort to scare the judicial branch. Well-known former judges who signed the letter included Nancy Gertner and J. Michael Luttig. The letter stated that the way the arrest happened clearly showed an attempt to force state and federal courts to comply rather than letting them interpret the Constitution and laws freely.

According to the NY Times and Bloomberg Law, the judges argued that such actions weakened the rule of law and damaged public trust in the courts. The arrest itself stood out because of how it was handled. Judge Dugan was taken into custody at the courthouse, handcuffed, and later had her ankles shackled before being taken to the federal courthouse.

Former judges criticize Trump administration for arresting Wisconsin judge

FBI Director Kash Patel later posted a picture of the handcuffed judge on social media, which the group of former judges called a “shameful display” and a breach of Justice Department rules. Six former federal prosecutors from Wisconsin were interviewed separately and said the arrest process was unnecessary and unusual. They pointed out that people who are not likely to flee or pose a threat to others are usually allowed to turn themselves in.

They called the arrest, including the public showing of the judge in handcuffs (known as a “perp walk”), something they had never seen before. The Justice Department responded to the letter from the former judges by pointing to a video statement from Attorney General Bondi. In the video, Bondi said that no matter what someone’s job is, anyone who breaks the law will face charges.

The letter from the former judges was backed by groups like the Democracy Defenders Fund, started by a former ethics official from the Obama administration, and the Society for the Rule of Law Institute, a group created by conservative and libertarian lawyers and judges. These organizations agreed with the concerns raised by the former judges, saying the situation showed an abuse of power and a threat to the independence of the courts.

After the arrest, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Judge Dugan from her job while the case is ongoing. The court’s order said the suspension was needed to keep the public’s trust in the state’s courts. A preliminary hearing in Judge Dugan’s case is set for May 15. In a statement, Judge Dugan’s lawyer said she plans to fight the charges strongly and expects to be cleared of wrongdoing.