Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was caught up in what became known as the "Signalgate" scandal this year, as reports revealed how he shared highly dangerous military information in unsecured Signal chats that included members of his family and reporters. But apparently, at least some members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are doing something similar with official activities.
That's a claim endorsed by FBI Agent Erin Lucker, who took the stand at Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan's federal trial today, according to All Rise News' Adam Klasfeld.
While being questioned, Klasfeld noted, she "agree[d] that federal agents spoke to each other in a Signal group called 'Frozen Water Group,' indicating ICE. Dugan's lawyer note[d] that's not the preferred mode of ICE communications."
Dugan, who sits on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, was criminally indicted earlier this year in an extraordinary move by the Trump administration after an unauthorized immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, tried to leave her courthouse while evading federal authorities. Federal prosecutors argue that Dugan aided Flores-Ruiz in trying to escape by coaching him on how to leave the building. She faces up to six years in prison if convicted.
Dugan has denied any criminal wrongdoing and has argued she has immunity because she acted in her official capacity. Some experts have argued the entire indictment makes no sense because the exit Dugan ordered Flores-Ruiz to take brought him into the public hallway where six federal agents were waiting for him, and those agents proceeded to do nothing as he went past.
At another point of questioning, Lucker appeared to confirm this, agreeing with questioning that Flores-Ruiz "literally walked right past" one of the agents.
