GOP vows to impeach Milwaukee Co. Judge Hannah Dugan if she doesn't resign

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Following the split verdict in the trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, reaction is coming in from both Washington and Madison. At the state Capitol, Assembly Republican leaders said if Dugan doesn't resign, they'll move to impeach her.

In a post on X, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote, "No one is above the law." And now, Republican leaders in the legislature say Judge Dugan must resign, and if she doesn't then they will remove her. 

In the Legislature, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Majority Leader Tyler August (R-Walworth) issued a joint statement saying if Judge Dugan does not resign, they will begin impeachment proceedings.

"Wisconsin deserves to know their judiciary is impartial and that justice is blind. Judge Hannah Dugan is neither, and her privilege of serving the people of Wisconsin has come to an end." 

To impeach a judge, a simply majority of the Assembly must vote in support of impeachment. However, two-thirds of the Senate must vote to convict and remove the judge.

In Wisconsin, a judge hasn't been impeached and removed since 1850s. In an interview Friday, August insisted impeachment would be more than a political ploy.

"It's not political theater at all," August said. "I actually think the Senate Democrats should actually be on board with holding this trial. Assembly Democrats should vote for this as well, if it comes to that."

Thursday night, Dec. 18, Dugan was convicted on a felony charge of obstructing a federal agency. That's in connection with an April incident in which she was accused of assisting an undocumented immigrant who was a defendant in her court. 

She was alleged to have guided Eduardo Flores Ruiz into a hallway, away from federal agents there to arrest him. The jury found her not guilty of concealing an individual, which is a misdemeanor. 

Dugan's supporters point out a judgement against her has not yet been entered; her defense team is asking Judge Lynn Adelman to enter a separate judgement from the jury's findings, arguing it's unusual for jurors to convict on one count and acquit on the other, despite the charges being very similar.

Those supporters argue it's premature for the Legislature to take any action when Dugan hasn't had a sentencing date set, and she's indicated she'll appeal the verdict.

"We should make sure that the process plays its entire length of time," Nick Ramos, director of the left-leaning Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, said. "Then, you can talk about things like impeachment. But until we're there, it just feels like political gamesmanship."

After the verdict, a pair of pro-Dugan demonstrators maintained the trial was pure politics.

"The Trump administration is trying to make an example of her to intimidate not only judges around the country, but people who are concerned about justice and what ICE is doing," said Art Heitzer, who held pro-Dugan signs outside the courthouse Thursday night. 

Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel said the charging decision was simply about the law, and he added federal agents were well within their rights to execute a warrant at the county courthouse. 

"We weren't trying to make an example out of anyone," Schimel said. "This was necessary to hold Judge Dugan accountable, in our assessment, because of the actions she took." 

Dugan is currently prohibited from exercising any responsibility on the bench. Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley highlighted the state Supreme Court order sidelining Dugan was still in effect.

"At this stage of the proceedings, it would be inappropriate for me to comment," Ashley wrote to CBS 58 Friday. "Judge Dugan remains prohibited from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge under an existing order of the Wisconsin Supreme Court."

In a statement, the Wisconsin Supreme Court also noted judgment has not been entered in Dugan's case, and it added its order prohibiting Dugan from acting as a judge was still standing. A court spokesperson did not respond to follow-up questions about whether Dugan is still receiving pay. 

"The Court will continue to monitor those proceedings and will respect the federal judicial process," the statement read. "The Court has no further comment on the matter at this time."

Assembly GOP leaders pointed to a section of the state constitution that says no person convicted of a felony may hold any office of "trust, profit or honor" in Wisconsin. 

"We actually believe that she is out of office as of her conviction," August said. "She needs to acknowledge that, or else we're gonna have to move forward with our constitutional responsibilities."

August added Republicans would move on an "aggressive" timeline as it relates to impeachment proceedings.

"I think it would be fair to say," August said. "In early January would be when you would see articles of impeachment come out."

For top Democrats at the state level, their silence was unanimous. Neither Gov. Tony Evers, Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) nor Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) responded to requests for comment about the verdict Friday.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley released the following statement: 

“Judge Hannah Dugan was provided her constitutional right to due process and I respect the jury’s verdict in this case. While the trial focused on a specific situation, it underscored the need for the Milwaukee County Courthouse to remain a safe, trusted place where residents can seek information, resources, and fair participation in the legal process.

As Judge Dugan received the due process she’s entitled to, I’m reflecting on the fact that people across the country are currently being denied that same constitutionally-guaranteed right by the Trump administration. Community members – many of whom are U.S. citizens or have legal status – are being detained by federal agents and ripped away from their neighborhoods with no warrant or reason. I don’t agree with this and I’ll continue working with our partners across the county and state to maintain safety, dignity, and justice for all.

The last thing we want is to interfere with the legal process, impede public safety efforts, or sow doubt among residents about whether or not they will receive fair, impartial justice. I’m committed to doing everything I can to protect people’s rights and stand with the residents who positively contribute to the health, safety, and vibrancy of Milwaukee County.”