Wisconsin Supreme Court suspends judge who assisted an illegal immigrant in fleeing.

 

Judge Hannah Dugan at a pro-Ukraine rally. AP.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Judge Hannah Dugan who was arrested by the FBI after attempting to assist an illegal immigrant in fleeing from a warrant. AP. The court said that the move was to protect public confidence in the courts as Dugan's criminal case works its way through the justice system and said there was no outside influence in the decision. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is split 4-3 with liberals in control. Judge Dugan attempted to assist an illegal immigrant charged with domestic violence who was appearing in her court. When ICE arrived to arrest him, Dugan became upset and tried to sneak the illegal immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, out through the jury exit, but was caught. The FBI arrested her for this on Friday and the case became a cause celebre for the Democrats. Dugan was charged with one felony for obstructing an US agency and one misdemeanor for concealing an individual to prevent an arrest. 

My Comment:

I was going to comment on this case before but I was busy this weekend and didn't have the time. But since it's back in the news again and this is a pretty big development, I thought I would write about it now. Despite what the Democrats and media have said, this suspension seems to vindicate the opinion that she should absolutely not be on the bench after what she did. 

 Is that really the case though? Not really. From what I understand it's pretty typical to suspend a judge after they have been arrested and it isn't really the Supreme Court saying that she's guilty or anything. It's pretty much what they have to do. It's a procedural thing, not a vindication. 

But I do think that it is notable that the Supreme Court stuck with the order even though they knew that the Democrats would not be happy with it. The fact that they did their jobs correctly should be seen as a blow to those that would prefer them to not do their jobs and just support Judge Dugan regardless of the circumstances. 

I absolutely think that Judge Dugan should have been arrested and charged and I do hope that she is convicted as well. It's absurd behavior to allow a man to flee from an arrest. Indeed, I kind of think that the illegal immigrant in this case, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz is a bit of a victim as well, as I doubt he had any idea that the judge was trying to help him evade arrest. Given that she was in a position of authority over him, this behavior was even more egregious. 

Not that I have a lot of respect for Mr. Flores-Ruiz. Not only was he here illegally, he was charged with domestic abuse. He hasn't been convicted of anything yet but he's absolutely not a respectable member of the community, especially since his immigration status is not in doubt. He absolutely should be deported. 

That's another reason why Judge Dugan's behavior is so beyond the pale. This was not a man that had any real right to be here and it not at all sympathetic. I'm more forgiving that most by saying that he's only been charged of a crime, not convicted, but most people won't make that distinction. The fact that the judge tried to let him run from the feds is just crazy. 

I can't see this reaction for basically any other crime. If a right wing judge were to do the same thing with ATF agents and suspect charged with federal gun crimes, the media and Democrats would be baying for blood. But because immigration is the hot button issue and the media wants to portray the Trump Administration as being bad, they tried to make this into a huge issue. 

I don't think it will work, like much of their hysteria against Trump hasn't worked. Folks know that the Judge absolutely exceeded her mandate here and there isn't going to be any sympathy for Flores-Ruiz either. It's not "fascism" to arrest a judge that very clearly committed a crime. Nobody outside of folks with serious Trump derangement syndrome are going to be upset by this case.