A New York Times columnist praised a Wisconsin judge charged with obstruction for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade ICE agents, framing her actions as both illegal and heroic.
Key Facts:
- Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was charged with obstruction after allegedly helping illegal immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz avoid ICE arrest.
- Judge Dugan reportedly escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a restricted jury door to bypass waiting agents.
- New York Times columnist David Brooks defended the judge’s actions as “illegal but heroic” during an appearance on PBS Newshour.
- Flores-Ruiz had been previously deported and faced new misdemeanor battery charges at the time of the incident.
- Flores-Ruiz fled from ICE agents but was apprehended shortly after outside the courthouse.
The Rest of The Story:
Judge Hannah Dugan stands accused of helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a previously deported Mexican national, avoid arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after a court hearing in Milwaukee.
According to the criminal complaint, Dugan redirected officers to the chief judge’s office while sneaking Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted area to exit the building unseen.
Flores-Ruiz faced misdemeanor charges for alleged assault and was identified by agents as removable under immigration law.
After fleeing from ICE agents outside the courthouse, he was captured following a brief chase.
Commenting on PBS Newshour, New York Times columnist David Brooks argued that while the judge’s alleged actions might have been illegal, they could also be viewed as morally justified civil disobedience against what he called “a predatory enforcement agency.”
Brooks predicted similar resistance efforts could grow, suggesting that peaceful protest is an effective way to challenge what he described as authoritarian behavior.
🚨NYT’s David Brooks doesn’t "know the specific details" of the Judge Dugan case — but says she was “heroic."
“If the federal enforcement agencies come to your courtroom and you help a guy escape, that is two things…"
“One, it strikes me as maybe something illegal, but it… pic.twitter.com/1Ia7BaxW7R
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 27, 2025
Commentary:
The double standard on full display here is staggering.
When it came to President Trump, media outlets like the New York Times loudly insisted that “no one is above the law.”
Yet when a liberal judge actively obstructs immigration enforcement, suddenly, breaking the law becomes “heroic.”
David Brooks’ defense of Judge Dugan reveals the hypocrisy that many Americans have come to expect from legacy media institutions.
If protecting criminals from lawful arrest is now considered noble, where exactly does the rule of law stand in the eyes of these commentators?
Civil disobedience has its place in American history, but aiding a violent offender and previously deported illegal immigrant is a far cry from the likes of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat.
The comparison is not only false; it’s dangerous.
Fortunately, the FBI and local law enforcement didn’t buy into the narrative.
They treated the obstruction seriously, and Flores-Ruiz was arrested despite Judge Dugan’s efforts.
The law enforcement response demonstrates that, at least for now, there are still agencies willing to uphold the law even when politically pressured not to.
If the New York Times and its commentators continue down this road, they risk further alienating Americans who simply want their laws enforced and their communities protected.
The Bottom Line:
Judge Hannah Dugan’s alleged obstruction in helping an illegal immigrant evade ICE has sparked strong reactions, especially after David Brooks called the move “heroic.”
This situation highlights the ongoing double standard in media narratives surrounding law enforcement.
Thankfully, agencies on the ground acted swiftly, reinforcing that the law still matters — even when elites disagree.
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