The contrasting responses of the Trump and Biden administrations to similar judicial misconduct cases highlight differing approaches to immigration enforcement. In Wisconsin, Judge Hannah Dugan was swiftly arrested by the FBI after allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade capture by ICE agents, facing charges of felony obstruction and concealing a person. Conversely, in Massachusetts, Judge Shelley Joseph faced charges for similar actions in 2018, but the Biden Department of Justice dropped these charges in 2022 after she referred herself to a state commission, with disciplinary actions only beginning in late 2024. Dugan's arrest and suspension from judicial duties underscore the Trump administration's emphasis on strict immigration enforcement and judicial accountability. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan's actions, particularly emphasizing the severity of the domestic violence case involving the protected immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was accused of serious assaults.

Judge Hannah Dugan of Wisconsin was arrested by the FBI for allegedly aiding illegal immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz to evade ICE agents by escorting him through a restricted door in the court, bypassing waiting federal officers.

The charges against Dugan include felony obstruction of a federal agency and concealing a person to help them avoid arrest, reflecting the Trump administration's swift action against perceived judicial misconduct.

In a similar case, Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph faced charges in 2018 for allowing an illegal immigrant to escape ICE capture, but the Biden DOJ dropped these charges in 2022 after she agreed to a self-referral to the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct.

Joseph's disciplinary hearing was delayed until 2024, illustrating a stark contrast in the handling of her case compared to Dugan's, where the latter was quickly arrested and barred from judicial duties.

Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned Dugan's actions on national television, highlighting the gravity of the domestic violence case against Flores-Ruiz, who was accused of severely assaulting two victims.