Embattled Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted of obstruction last month for helping an immigrant evade federal officers, has sent her resignation letter to the governor.
The letter was sent Saturday. Republicans had been making plans to impeach her ever since her Dec. 19 conviction.
Dugan stated that over the past decade she managed thousands of cases, emphasizing her commitment to treating individuals with dignity and respect while maintaining the decorum and safety deserved in the courtroom.
However, she acknowledged that the ongoing legal battle has become a major distraction.
“As you know, I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings, which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary. I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary,” Dugan expressed in her resignation.
Federal prosecutors initially accused Dugan of attempting to obstruct federal officers arresting a Mexican immigrant outside her courtroom, and she was subsequently convicted of felony obstruction.
The case against Dugan has drawn national attention, particularly as it has been cited in the context of President Donald Trump's broader immigration crackdown. Critics claim that the administration is targeting Dugan to deter judicial opposition to its immigration policies.
In response to her resignation, Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos applauded Dugan for making the right decision in stepping down.
Democrat Ann Jacobs noted that Dugan's resignation reflects her commitment to justice and her desire to remove the judiciary from what she termed a political battle over her future.
The situation escalated when, on April 18, immigration officers arrived at the Milwaukee County courthouse looking for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had illegally reentered the U.S. and was set to appear before Dugan for a hearing. Dugan intervened, leading to a confrontation and ultimately the immigrant's arrest after he fled through a private door.
