FBI director posts photo of arrested Wisconsin judge’s perp walk, possibly violating DOJ policy

CNN FBI Director Kash Patel posted a photo on X Friday night of the Wisconsin judge who was arrested for allegedly obstructing immigration agents while she was handcuffed being escorted to a automobile by functionaries The photo of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan does not show her face but shows her being escorted by three law enforcement agents in a perp walk The caption by Patel read No one is above the law According to the Confidentiality and Media Contacts Guidelines listed on the Justice Department s website DOJ personnel should not voluntarily disclose a photograph of a defendant unless it serves a law enforcement function or unless the photograph is already part of the residents record in the scenario Former Attorney General Eric Holder who implemented the program during the Obama administration worked during his tenure to make it more arduous for members of the media to obtain photos of defendants such as mug shots Holder narrated CNN that Patel s social media post violates this framework Whatever the issues with what the judge did they re trying to maximize intimidation Holder revealed in a declaration to CNN It is unclear following Patel s post on X if current Attorney General Pam Bondi has changed the conduct initiative for Justice Department personnel regarding photos of defendants The arrest is the point Craig Mastantuono an attorney for Dugan reported CNN in an interview It s a clear departure of the protocol There was no threat to population safety She was not afforded the chance to come in and offer her side of the story Dugan was arrested by the FBI on Friday and is facing two charges for obstruction and concealing an individual from arrest Dugan had an initial court appearance on Friday and was distributed from detention following the hearing The FBI has not responded to comment on the director s post