Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"This is Not Normal": Democrats Miss An Obvious Problem With The Arrest Of The Wisconsin Judge
Jonathan Turley ^ | 04/26/2025

Posted on 04/26/2025 9:40:50 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

“This is not normal.” Those words from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., are undeniably true after the arrest of Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan. However, the reason it is not normal is far more debatable. Dugan is accused of becoming a lawbreaker in seeking to obstruct an effort to arrest a man wanted by federal authorities. If true, that is manifestly not “normal.”

As soon as the news of the arrest was reported, Democrats declared another constitutional crisis. Klobuchar added that the arrest “is a drastic move threatening the rule of law” and a “grave step and undermines our system of checks and balances.”

That is a curious claim unless Klobuchar believes that the officers are lying. If not, Klobuchar is suggesting that a judge should be allowed (or at least not held accountable) for actively shielding a wanted person and facilitating their evasion of law enforcement.

Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., also condemned Dugan’s arrest, stating, “If [FBI Director] Kash Patel and Donald Trump don’t like a judge, they think they can arrest them. This is stunning — we must stand up to this blatant power grab. Republicans: How is this not a red line for you?”

Yet, what is the “red line” for judges if the allegations are true? This judge is accused of conduct that has resulted in charges for other citizens. The judicial robe is not some form of invisibility cloak that allows judges to engage in alleged criminal acts.

The Wisconsin media is reporting:

Sources have told the Journal Sentinel that ICE officials arrived in Dugan’s courtroom on the morning of April 18. When they went to the chief judge’s office, Dugan directed the defendant and his attorney to a side door in the courtroom, directed them down a private hallway and into the public area on the 6th floor.

If true, that would be an active effort to help the suspect elude police who were carrying out a lawful function.

According to the criminal complaint, Flores-Ruiz allegedly attacked three individuals after an altercation with his roommate about playing loud music. Flores-Ruiz allegedly struck his roommate approximately 30 times with a closed fist and then attacked his girlfriend and a third person. Some of the injuries required hospital treatment.

The evasion of police at the courthouse required officers to chase down Ruiz, which could have resulted in a more serious confrontation on the street.

This is not the first time that a judge has been accused of participating in or directing such obstruction.

I previously wrote about the case of Massachusetts judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph who was charged with allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade ICE agents in April 2018. Joseph and court officer Wesley MacGregor were charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting and obstruction of a federal proceeding.

I was critical of the handling of the case. While Joseph was suspended for three years, charges were dropped in 2022 during the Biden Administration.

The Dugan case occurred at the same time that a New Mexico judge was arrested for harboring an unlawful immigrant and an alleged TdA gang member.

Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife were arrested on Thursday. Notably, Cano reportedly admitted to officers that he smashed the phone of Cristhian Ortega-Lopez after the 23-year-old was arrested in a raid at the judge’s home.

As I said on Fox last night, I am perplexed by Democrats rushing to denounce the arrest of Dugan before we know whether these allegations are supported. If she escorted the suspect to a non-public door to facilitate his escape, that is conduct and would constitute a shocking abandonment of judicial ethics. She can certainly use her authority to address matters properly before her in the form of judicial orders, but actively assisting in an escape is well beyond the pale.

I have often criticized the reckless rhetoric directed against judges, including those who have ruled against the Trump Administration. We need to maintain our civility and respect as we work through these often difficult questions.

However, that works both ways. Judges have to reinforce respect for the judiciary in their own conduct. That includes showing restraint and respect in relation to the countervailing powers of the Executive Branch. It certainly includes avoiding actions that could be viewed as criminal or unethical in resisting this Administration.

That is also a “red line.”

* * *

Jonathan Turley is the author of best-selling book “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”

* * *


TOPICS: Conspiracy; Government; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS: arrest; duganisabovethelaw; hannahdugan; judge; llegal; nooneisabovethelaw; wisconsin
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061 next last
To: SeekAndFind
undermines our system of checks and balances

We just saw the checks and balances take effect.

21 posted on 04/27/2025 12:35:36 AM PDT by BitWielder1 (I'd rather have Unequal Wealth than Equal Poverty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

22 posted on 04/27/2025 1:11:45 AM PDT by ransomnote (IN GOD WE TRUST)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

““This is not normal.” Those words from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.”

.

Actually forced to face reality (for a crystal clear violation of the law) is now viewed as abnormal by the prog.

Shows you just how FAR TOO LONG this commie corruption crap has been going on.

.


23 posted on 04/27/2025 1:29:47 AM PDT by TLI (ITINERIS IMPENDEO VALHALLA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bullish

I doubt it. I think she is a state judge.


24 posted on 04/27/2025 1:38:52 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Singermom

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. NOT even the LAWYERS and JUDGES. Funny NONE of these judges cared that all these illegals came INTO our country without PROCESS or VETTING.

I say hire BOUNTY HUNTERS to go and hunt them down and get them OUT.

Dems are PAYING them with OUR TAX DOLLARS to vote dem in the next election. Get them out NOW do NOT wait for them to STALL the agenda.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>..
I agree with every point of your post. The RNC should direct the posting of billboards across the country with illustrations of judges behind bars and the words “No one, not even those who sit around in black robes, are exempt from compliance with the law!”


25 posted on 04/27/2025 2:58:59 AM PDT by fortes fortuna juvat (President Trump is America's long-awaited SUPREME Commander in Chief. Deus Hoc Vult!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Hey Klobuchar….

I seem to remember you and the other permanent PMS harpies in YOUR party screeching “No one is above the law!!!” When you all were trying to railroad President Trump….

Sucks when karma kicks in, doesn’t it…


26 posted on 04/27/2025 3:00:40 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Judves have never been immune from being arrested for brraking laws.

Never.

Plenty of judges have been arrested for crimes.


27 posted on 04/27/2025 3:06:14 AM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Next we need to arrest the Governor of Wisconsin!


28 posted on 04/27/2025 3:55:17 AM PDT by Jan_Sobieski (Sanctification)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Democrats are not normal especially Obama judges. I think the tide is turning.


29 posted on 04/27/2025 4:08:39 AM PDT by DeplorablePaul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Liz

The Actual constitutional crisis is not in the Constitution executive it is in the judicial branch. Activist judges are not part of a healthy Constitutional republic.


30 posted on 04/27/2025 4:15:57 AM PDT by griswold3 (Truth Beauty and Goodnes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

“This is not normal” I hear that a lot from them, is that another focus group tested phrase to make their own radicalism seem like that is normal in America?


31 posted on 04/27/2025 4:21:58 AM PDT by jughandle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Franklin

I’m wondering if the defendant’s lawyer could also be charged as aiding and abetting a fugitive. Although probably not worth the effort such a charge might just be throwing chaff into the fight. But still, he knew what the judge did was illegal and went along. That’s probably at least worth a firm, nonsense slap on the wrist. Where’s a Catholic nun when you need one?


32 posted on 04/27/2025 4:40:17 AM PDT by Gen.Blather (I had a tagline and I dropped it. The cat back-pawed it under the Barcalounger. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Liz

The Actual constitutional crisis is not in the Constitution executive it is in the judicial branch. Activist judges are not part of a healthy Constitutional republic.


33 posted on 04/27/2025 4:57:12 AM PDT by griswold3 (Truth Beauty and Goodnes.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: All

Dugan cuffed then mug shot.

34 posted on 04/27/2025 5:23:29 AM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray...."Our Father, who art in heaven......" )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
"Klobuchar added that the arrest “is a drastic move threatening the rule of law” and a “grave step and undermines our system of checks and balances.

If I saw that Amy was about to take a "grave step" into an open manhole, I would just stand there and let it happen.
35 posted on 04/27/2025 5:27:52 AM PDT by equaviator (If 60 is the new 40 then 35 must be the new 15.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rightwingcrazy

The abominations of the J6ers and many other example of leftist lawfare prove your point.

For leftists the law is a weapon to be used against its enemies and to defend its friends.

It has no other uses for law.


36 posted on 04/27/2025 5:31:24 AM PDT by cgbg (It was not us. It was them--all along.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The lawfare judges should hope that arrest is the worst that happens to them. People don’t appreciate their behavior.


37 posted on 04/27/2025 5:58:57 AM PDT by bk1000 (Banned from Breitbart)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Root is correct: They are all on the take, and very scared for benefits received and their obligations to the cartels.


38 posted on 04/27/2025 6:20:19 AM PDT by caddie (We all need to become Trump and become Captain Obvious too.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The judicial robe is not some form of invisibility cloak that allows judges to engage in alleged criminal acts.

That says it all and the have been increasing their activity of doing so now more than ever of late.

It’s there way of enforcing the end of the constitution and laws they wish to remove from the books for their agenda.


39 posted on 04/27/2025 6:23:09 AM PDT by Vaduz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Klobuchar is always one of the first to stick that smelly foot in her mouth. She overly dramatic, and totally uninformed, or just stupid, which has always been my suspicion.
No matter the issue, she’s always one of the first to be on the wrong side. Never fails.


40 posted on 04/27/2025 6:23:37 AM PDT by Fireone (1.Avoid crowds 2.Head on a swivel 3.Be prepared to protect & defend those around you 4.Avoid crowds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson