1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

The arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan by federal agents raises significant concerns about overreach and the targeting of judges. While judges must uphold the law, the charges against Dugan appear excessive given that she was attempting to carry out her judicial duties. Obstructing the work of law enforcement is unacceptable, but arresting a sitting judge for a disagreement over proper procedures is an alarming escalation that undermines judicial independence. This incident seems to be part of a broader pattern of the federal government aggressively going after judges who rule against its policies or enforcement actions. In 2019, a Massachusetts judge faced charges that were later dropped for allowing an undocumented immigrant to leave court. Judges must be able to make decisions free from intimidation or the threat of prosecution simply for upholding constitutional protections. The charges against Dugan create a chilling effect that could deter judges from acting as a check on overreach by law enforcement and immigration authorities. This appears to be an attempt to strong-arm the judicial branch into compliance. Preserving the separation of powers and an independent judiciary is essential for maintaining our democratic system of government. I urge you to speak out against this troubling overreach and the persecution of judges who uphold the rule of law.