FBI Director’s Photo Controversy: Judge’s Arrest Raises Concerns Over Policy Violations
CNN — A social media post by FBI Director Kash Patel has sparked controversy following the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan for allegedly obstructing immigration agents. The photo, shared on X, depicts Dugan being escorted by law enforcement in a manner reminiscent of a "perp walk," though her face is not visible. Patel captioned the image, “No one is above the law,” igniting a debate about whether the post aligns with existing Justice Department policies.
According to the DOJ’s Confidentiality and Media Contacts Policy, personnel are discouraged from publicly sharing photos of defendants unless it serves a law enforcement purpose or is already part of the public record. Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who established stricter guidelines to protect defendants’ rights, criticized Patel’s post as a violation of these principles. Holder remarked that the intent appears to be intimidation, stating, “Whatever the issues with what the judge did, they’re trying to maximize intimidation.”
Dugan faces charges of obstruction and concealing an individual from arrest. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, emphasized that the way the arrest was handled deviates from policy and noted that Dugan was not given an opportunity to present her side of the story, adding, “There was no threat to public safety.”
It remains uncertain whether current Attorney General Pam Bondi has altered the policy regarding how DOJ personnel handle such situations. The FBI has yet to comment on the matter.
Dugan had her initial court appearance on Friday and was released following the hearing, but the implications of Patel’s social media activity and its adherence to DOJ policy continue to provoke discussions.
This story is continuously evolving.
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