Arresting Judges and Dismantling Democracy

Welcome to Donald Trump’s America

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Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI for allegedly helping a man evade immigration enforcement. If you don’t read the details of the criminal complaint, you might naturally think — “If you obstruct a criminal investigation, why shouldn’t you be arrested and charged?”

I would generally agree, but in light of the Trump administration’s removal of due process protections for people like Kilmar Abrego Garcia and the continuous “disappearing” of people from the street, I approached this story with extra skepticism. I immediately presumed that this arrest of a state court judge by Trump’s FBI was about more than obstruction of justice.

Reading the criminal complaint validated that presumption. All the FBI has on Judge Dugan is the fact witnesses saw her escort the man in question (who was a defendant in a case in her courtroom) through a “jury door” instead of the public courtroom exit. This jury door — it’s important to note — ultimately led to a public hallway, although it was probably less monitored. The complaint also highlights that the judge made some “forceful motions” and “stern” comments.

Seriously. That’s it.

I was expecting quotes like, “ICE agents are outside. You must exit through the jury…