'Oppressive campaign of censorship'? US sanctions Brazil judge overseeing Bolsonaro case
US President Donald Trump also signed an executive order that effectively implements the 50% tariff announced earlier this month, which he had explicitly linked to Bolsonaro's case.
The United States Treasury Department announced on Wednesday it would impose sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the judge who oversees the criminal case against Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro.“De Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicised prosecutions, including against former President Jair Bolsonaro,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.Bolsonaro is on trial at the Supreme Court, where he is accused of leading an alleged attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election, in which he was defeated by left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in an attempt to stay in power.President Lula condemned the sanctions on X, claiming that "the interference of the American government in Brazilian Justice is unacceptable." He also emphasised that "the Brazilian government stands in solidarity with [de Moraes]." Without naming Bolsonaro, Lula added that de Moraes is "targeted by sanctions motivated by the actions of Brazilian poiticians who betray our homeland and our people in defence of their own interests." United States President Donald Trump has previously expressed support for Bolsonaro, comparing the former Brazilian president's situation with his own legal battles, and claiming the trial is a "witch hunt." Earlier in July, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian imported goods, directly linking the import tax to the trial against Bolsonaro. On Wednesday, the US President signed an exectuive order to effectively implement those tariffs, citing Brazil's "recent policies, practices, and actions" as a threat to US national security, foreign policy, and the economy. Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo, applauded the announcement made by the US Treasury Department, praising it as a "historic milestone."Eduardo Bolsonaro relocated to the US in March and is under investigation for working with US authorities to impose sanctions against Brazilian officials.