Introduction
This article was flagged for fact-checking following a user’s interest in whether Judge Hannah Dugan truly interfered with federal justice or was acting within her bounds to protect judicial procedures from federal overreach. The article outlines charges against Dugan, the federal government’s rebuttal to her judicial immunity claims, and surveillance footage that may cast doubt on a portion of the official narrative. Let’s explore how the facts stack up and whether the article presents a fair and complete picture.
Historical Context
Immigration enforcement within courthouses has long stirred national debate. Advocates warn it chills undocumented individuals from accessing justice, while federal agencies argue courthouses are not exempt from immigration laws. In Wisconsin, like many other states, immigration authority lies solely with the federal government—state judges have no jurisdiction in such matters. Against this larger policy backdrop, Judge Dugan’s alleged involvement in the April 2025 courthouse incident adds a layer to ongoing tensions between local judicial independence and federal enforcement authority.
Fact-Check of Specific Claims
Claim #1: Judge Hannah Dugan concealed a defendant (Eduardo Flores-Ruiz) to prevent his immigration arrest.
According to the federal indictment, the prosecution alleges Dugan actively assisted Flores-Ruiz in evading ICE agents by providing directional assistance and physically escorting him away from agent view within the courthouse. However, surveillance video obtained by ABC News through public records contradicts a core part of the prosecution’s claim. The video shows Flores-Ruiz and his attorney exiting through a private door, taking an elevator—not stairs—to the main floor, and being followed by federal agents. There is no visual evidence of concealment in the non-public stairwell, and since the surveillance footage has no audio, verbal intent cannot be confirmed. Therefore, while prosecutors allege intent to obstruct, the visual record raises credible doubt about the extent and logistics of concealment.
Verdict: Partially accurate; prosecution alleges concealment, but video evidence does not fully support the narrative.
Claim #2: Dugan’s actions were official and protected under judicial immunity.
Judicial immunity traditionally protects judges from civil or criminal liability for actions performed as part of their official judicial duties. However, legal precedent—particularly from the U.S. Supreme Court (see Stump v. Sparkman, 1978)—holds that immunity does not extend to administrative or non-judicial acts. In this case, the prosecution argues that Dugan left her assigned courtroom, interfered in another courtroom, and confronted agents outside her judicial function, which would categorize her actions as unofficial. While Dugan’s team cited the Trump immunity ruling, that decision dealt with executive privilege—not judicial immunity in the context of criminal obstruction. Hence, the claim that all of Dugan’s actions fall under judicial immunity is flawed from a legal standpoint.
Verdict: Misleading; not all of Dugan’s alleged actions are likely protected under judicial immunity.
Claim #3: Federal agents disrupted court proceedings on April 18, justifying Dugan’s response.
Dugan’s defense states ICE agents disrupted her courtroom by arriving during active proceedings, arguably putting decorum and fairness at risk. However, federal filings reject this claim, stating the agents never entered Dugan’s courtroom and were stationed in common courthouse hallways. Surveillance videos reviewed by ABC News do not indicate agents intruded into active courtrooms. Further, the prosecution asserts that Dugan left her own courtroom and involved herself in matters outside her docket. As such, Dugan’s justification regarding courtroom disruption lacks visual or testimonial evidence and is not corroborated by the surveillance review or government filings.
Verdict: Lacks supporting evidence; courtroom disruption was not backed by surveillance data or third-party reporting.
Conclusion
The article accurately reflects the federal government’s legal position and allegations against Judge Dugan, including quotes from official filings and accurate reporting of the pending charges. While it highlights the defense’s perspective, including discussions of judicial immunity, it offers less emphasis on exculpatory elements such as the contradictory surveillance footage. Readers should be aware that while Dugan faces serious charges, the claim of her physically aiding an escape down a stairwell is undermined by video evidence showing a different path was taken. The key factual claims are mixed—some are supported by legal precedent and documentation, while others rest on disputed interpretations of surveillance footage. Overall, the article is largely factual but lacks fuller contextual balance that might clarify Dugan’s intent and legal justifications for her behavior.
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