Welcome to our weekly DC Wrap, where we write about Wisconsin’s congressional delegation. Sign up here to receive the newsletter directly.

Quotes of the week

In his first 100 days, President Trump delivered more for the American people than Joe Biden had in four years. He’s keeping his promises, prioritizing American interests, securing our border, and leading with transparency. In the House, we’re building on that momentum to deliver real results that honor the American people’s electoral mandate.
– U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman, R-Glenbeulah, on Trump’s first 100 days in office. 

100 days into Trump 2.0, America is predicted to have the lowest economic growth AND the highest inflation rate of any developed economy in 2025. Trump is breaking every promise to make life easier for hardworking Americans.
– U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, on the milestone.

This week’s news

— Republicans are calling for the removal of a Milwaukee County judge after the state Supreme Court suspended Hannah Dugan following her arrest last week. But Dems are criticizing President Donald Trump’s administration for “overreach” in her arrest. 

Dugan was arrested Friday on two felony counts for allegedly interfering with federal agents’ attempt to arrest an undocumented individual. The case drew national attention amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced Dugan’s arrest in a post on X last week, writing she was taken into custody after “evidence of Judge Dugan obstructing an immigration arrest operation last week.” 

And this week, the state Supreme Court announced Tuesday it would suspend Dugan, saying “it is in the public interest that she be temporarily relieved of her official duties.”

Republicans praised the decision. U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, R-De Pere, argued on X she should be permanently removed. 

“Not only should Judge Dugan be temporarily removed from the bench, she should be permanently removed,” Wied said. “She broke the law to cover for an illegal alien and Wisconsinites should never be able to trust her to uphold the rule of law.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, also posted calling for Dugan’s permanent removal, saying Wisconsinites “deserve law-abiding justices, not activists.” 

But Wisconsin Dems slammed the arrest. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin in a statement called the arrest a “serious and drastic” move. The Madison Dem condemned Trump’s administration for abusing the separation of powers. 

“By relentlessly attacking the judicial system, flouting court orders, and arresting a sitting judge, this President is putting those basic Democratic values that Wisconsinites hold dear on the line,” she said.

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, said the arrest has “all the hallmarks of overreach.” 

“Federal law enforcement coming into a community and arresting a judge is a serious matter and would require a high legal bar,” Moore said in a statement. 

According to the criminal complaint, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz is an undocumented immigrant who was set for a criminal court appearance in front of Dugan on April 18 for charges of misdemeanor battery. Members of Milwaukee Immigration and Customs Enforcement were at the courthouse on that day for his expected arrest. 

The complaint alleges that when Dugan learned ICE agents were in the courthouse, she became visibly angry and said the situation was “absurd.” Dugan reportedly approached the deportation officers and asked them to leave. When they refused, she ordered them to speak to the chief judge. 

According to the complaint, witnesses later saw Dugan escort Flores-Ruiz through a “jury door” into a non-public area. She then continued other hearings, adjourning Flores-Ruiz’s planned hearing. Flores-Ruiz then left the building and made it out before being arrested. 

The case is one of two arrests last week that have made national headlines in the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration. A former judge in New Mexico is accused of harboring a Venezuelan gang member.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said during an appearance on Fox News last week said the arrests send a message that “we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you,” if judges obstruct the administration’s immigration crackdown.

“What has happened to our judiciary is beyond me,” Bondi said, adding some judges are “deranged.”

— U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, in a floor speech this week said Trump has broken his promises to Wisconsinites during his first 100 days in office.

Baldwin said Trump promised to end wars on day one, lower costs and make health care more affordable. She said so far, he’s broken those promises and “literally betrayed the American people.” 

“But, here is the kicker: Donald Trump not only broke these promises, but many of the things he promised to fix, he has actually made worse,” Baldwin said. “Grocery store bills are up. And I have yet to even see a concept of a health care plan, while Medicaid coverage for 1 million plus Wisconsinites is on the chopping block to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. Wars are raging in Ukraine and Gaza, billionaires and big corporations have a friend in the White House who has their backs.”

Baldwin cited cuts to research funding for universities, frozen grants for dairy farms, Social Security field office closures, and less resources for Milwaukee schools grappling with lead contamination. 

“In ordinary times, my office would maybe get around 50 to 100 calls a day. But regularly since January, we’ve passed 1,000 calls a day from Wisconsinites,” Baldwin said.

Wisconsin Republicans this week praised Trump for cracking down on immigration, supporting domestic energy production, and cutting spending. 

Still, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany said the next 100 days are just as important. 

“Congress must act now to codify President Trump’s executive orders into law,” Tiffany wrote in a post on X. 

— Members of Congress from both parties are criticizing Sen. Ron Johnson for pushing for an investigation into the collapse of one of the buildings during 9/11. 

The Oshkosh Republican has argued one of the buildings that came down during 9/11 was a “controlled demolition,” a well-known conspiracy theory that has been debunked by experts. And a spokesperson from Johnson’s office confirmed this week that he will continue to request documents related to 9/11 as the chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attacked Johnson’s theories in a statement to WisPolitics. 

“His statements are ignorant, and are shockingly offensive to the 9/11 families and the people who were brutally murdered that day by fanatic Al Qaeda terrorists,” Schumer said in the statement. 

New York Cong. Mike Lawler, a Republican, also criticized Johnson’s theories on X. 

“Respectfully, Senator Johnson should stop peddling conspiracy theories about the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history and one that forever altered the lives of so many of my fellow New Yorkers,” Lawler said in his post. “Crap like this dishonors and disrespects the innocent lives lost, our brave first responders, and all families and survivors who still carry the pain of 9/11 each and every day.” 

Johnson said in a statement to WisPolitics he is “honoring” firefighters who might be concerned about what happened on 9/11. 

“It is the firefighters who have been leading the charge for over 20 years to have their legitimate questions answered,” Johnson said. “I am honoring them by responding to their concerns. I recommend that everyone watch the documentary ‘Calling Out Bravo-7’ before criticizing those who are seeking the truth.”

The senator previously called for the FBI to release documents related to Saudi Arabia’s involvement in 9/11 in a 2023 letter to the FBI director. Johnson argued the government has refused to provide “full transparency” about 9/11. 

— U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald said it was an “honor” to attend the funeral of Pope Francis as one of 10 members of Congress in attendance. 

“As a member of the Catholic Church, joining fellow Catholics from around the world in prayer for the soul of Pope Francis was a deeply humbling experience I will never forget,” the Juneau Republican said in a statement.

Fitzgerald also said Pope Francis left a “lasting impact” on the faith community and Catholic Church. Fitzgerald said he met Pope Francis in August 2023, and that’s something he’ll “forever remember.” 

Pope Francis served as the head of the Catholic Church from 2013 until his death this month. The cardinal electors will convene in Rome to elect a new pope in May. 

— The Cook Political Report has moved western Wisconsin’s 3rd CD to a “toss up” after previously rating it “lean Republican.”

The outlet’s summary of the move is behind a paywall. The introduction notes nonprofit director Rebecca Cooke faces two other Dems for the party’s nomination to face U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien. Still, the outlet wrote Cooke’s strong financial start — with more than $1 million raised in the first three weeks of her campaign — “makes it incredibly unlikely that she won’t win the nomination next year.”

Van Orden, the only GOP incumbent in the state’s House delegation to run behind Trump in their district last year, is considered the top Dem target in Wisconsin. Trump endorsed Van Orden’s reelection bid this week. 

Posts of the week

ICYMI

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sen. Baldwin, Rep. Moore call firings of lead poisoning experts ‘haphazard,’ urge their return amid Milwaukee lead crisis

Spectrum News 1: 9/11 first responders visit Sen. Ron Johnson’s office after he embraces debunked conspiracy theory

AP: Black female WWII unit the Six Triple Eight will receive the Congressional Gold Medal

Janesville Gazette: Steil hosts telephone town hall

Spectrum News 1: ‘It’s time for a new candidate’: Crowded Democratic primary looks to unseat Derrick Van Orden

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