SOFREP Morning Brief: Wisconsin Judge Arrested by FBI for Helping Illegal Alien Avoid Arrest, Mangione Pleads Not Guilty in Federal Court, Trump Claims To Be in Trade Talks With XI

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI on April 25, 2025, after being accused of helping an undocumented immigrant slip past federal agents inside her courthouse. The charges stem from an incident on April 18, when Dugan allegedly helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had already been deported once before in 2013, avoid arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Flores-Ruiz was in court that day for a pre-trial conference related to misdemeanor battery charges. When Judge Dugan learned that ICE agents were waiting outside her courtroom with an administrative warrant, she reportedly confronted them, reviewed their paperwork, and instructed them to consult with the chief judge instead of making an immediate arrest. She then took Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a side door reserved for court personnel, temporarily allowing him to evade the agents. Federal officers caught up with him shortly afterward outside the courthouse.

The federal government responded by charging Dugan with obstruction of a federal proceeding and concealing a person to hinder discovery or arrest—serious offenses that could land her up to 10 years in prison if convicted. After her initial court appearance, Dugan was released and is set to be arraigned on May 15. Her lawyer insists she did nothing that threatened public safety and says she plans to fight the charges. Still, top officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, have made it clear they intend to hold public officials accountable when they interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

This case is already igniting political fires. Some Democratic lawmakers and immigration advocates are calling it an example of federal overreach and argue Dugan was protecting due process rights. On the other hand, supporters of the arrest say it sends a clear message that judges are not above the law. Beyond Dugan’s personal fate, the case highlights growing tension between federal immigration authorities and local officials, especially those seen as resistant to cooperation with ICE. It’s another chapter in the broader national fight over immigration enforcement and the limits of judicial independence.

Mangione Pleads Not Guilty

Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty to a slate of federal charges, including murder and stalking, tied to the high-profile killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The plea came during his arraignment on April 25, 2025, in Manhattan federal court. Standing before U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett, Mangione, dressed in a prison uniform and appearing calm, simply said “not guilty” when asked how he wished to plead. The four-count indictment charges him with murder through the use of a firearm, a firearms offense, and two counts of stalking.

Federal prosecutors have announced their plans to seek the death penalty in this case, citing what they describe as a premeditated act aimed at amplifying an ideological message against the health insurance industry. The Department of Justice’s move to pursue capital punishment makes this one of the most closely watched federal death penalty cases in recent memory. During the hearing, Mangione confirmed that he understood the charges against him and waived the reading of the indictment. Judge Garnett set the next court date for December 5, 2025, when a trial date is expected to be determined, likely pushing the case into 2026.

Mangione’s defense, led by attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo, plans to challenge the government’s ability to pursue the death penalty. They have requested that the federal trial move forward before any state proceedings because of the serious implications tied to capital punishment. The judge gave the defense team until June 27 to file their arguments. The arraignment drew significant attention, with several dozen spectators—including former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning—showing up in court. Mangione remains in federal custody as the legal battle unfolds.

Trump Claims To Be In The Middle of Trade Talks With Xi

President Donald Trump recently claimed that Chinese President Xi Jinping called him and that the U.S. and China are in the middle of active trade talks. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said, “He’s called. And I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf,” although he didn’t say when the call happened or what was discussed. Trump also suggested a trade deal could be wrapped up in three to four weeks and boasted of making “200 deals” on tariffs, though he didn’t offer any details or proof to back up those claims.

Meanwhile, Chinese officials have flatly denied that any trade negotiations are happening. Both China’s Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Commerce stated there are “absolutely no negotiations on the economy and trade between China and the U.S.” They accused Washington of “misleading the public” and said reports of progress are “groundless,” comparing them to “trying to catch the wind.”

Trump’s comments seem aimed at calming financial markets, which have been rattled by the ongoing trade conflict. Since Trump took office, the S&P 500 has dropped about 10%, fueled by fears over escalating tariffs and no clear end to the dispute. The U.S. has slapped tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese goods, while China has answered with tariffs reaching 125% on American products.

World Leaders, Including Zelensky, Arrive in Rome Under Tight Security For Pope’s Funeral

World leaders from around the globe, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, gathered in Rome for Pope Francis’s funeral, which drew an estimated 250,000 mourners and around 170 heads of state. The funeral took place at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City under extremely tight security. Snipers were stationed on rooftops, fighter jets were placed on standby, and the streets around the Vatican were heavily controlled to ensure safety.

Most dignitaries, including U.S. President Donald Trump and President Zelensky, arrived the day before the funeral. Zelensky, who initially wasn’t sure if he would be able to attend due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and a recent Russian missile strike, flew into Rome on Saturday morning with his wife, Olena Zelenska. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived Friday night, marking his first overseas trip during his second term as president.

Seating arrangements at the funeral followed traditional Vatican protocol, typically organizing leaders alphabetically by their country names in French. Zelensky was seated in the same row as French President Emmanuel Macron, with several seats and one aisle separating him from Trump. Leaders from Argentina, Pope Francis’s home country, were given the most prominent seats, followed by Italian officials, monarchs, and then other heads of state.

One notable moment was Trump reportedly speaking briefly with Zelensky before the ceremony, marking their first interaction in person after a stretch of public tensions over the Ukraine conflict. Zelensky’s arrival in St. Peter’s Square was met with applause from the crowd, a sign of support during a difficult time for his country. Other notable attendees included British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prince William, who represented King Charles III.

The funeral was one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in years, reflecting the immense global influence Pope Francis had and the careful diplomatic balancing that such an event demanded.