On Sunday, January 4, 2026, Bloomberg Law reported that Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan resigned, following her conviction for obstructing federal law enforcement officers. This resignation comes amid ongoing scrutiny regarding her conduct related to immigration enforcement in her courtroom.
In a letter addressed to Governor Tony Evers (D), Dugan articulated her belief that “the Wisconsin citizens that I cherish deserve to start the year with a judge on the bench” rather than face protracted impeachment proceedings in the state legislature. Her resignation is effective immediately.
Dugan was found guilty of felony obstruction on December 18 after a jury trial held in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. She could face a sentence of up to five years in prison as a result of her conviction.
The case gained national attention following Dugan’s arrest in April, when she was accused of assisting an undocumented migrant appearing in her courtroom as a defendant. This incident sparked broader discussions concerning judicial authority and the extent to which state officials should comply with federal immigration enforcement mandates.
In her resignation letter, Dugan expressed concern that her situation poses “immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary.”
Source: Bloomberg Law
