Brazil’s political landscape took a dramatic turn on Monday as the Supreme Federal Court authorized an investigation into Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. The move came after Brazil’s Attorney General, Paulo Gonet, submitted a formal request to probe Eduardo for allegedly attempting to intimidate and obstruct justice.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, 40, is being accused of seeking sanctions from the United States against Brazilian judges, police, and prosecutors who are involved in the investigation against his father. According to court documents, these alleged actions could amount to “coercion” and a serious attempt to interfere in the legal process.
The investigation is part of a broader effort led by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing multiple cases tied to Jair Bolsonaro and his allies. Eduardo allegedly asked U.S. officials to revoke visas and freeze the assets of Brazilian authorities, in a bid to apply pressure and protect his father from legal consequences.
Justice Moraes has now ordered that both Eduardo and Jair Bolsonaro be questioned by federal police within ten days.
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Events Reach Washington, D.C.
Eduardo Bolsonaro moved to Washington, D.C., in February 2025. From there, he began a public campaign to gather support for his father, who is currently facing trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the 2022 election results that brought Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to power.
Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. But the legal pressure has grown, with Brazil’s Supreme Court recently hearing testimony from key witnesses related to the alleged coup attempt.
From Washington, Eduardo has used public platforms to criticize Brazil’s legal system and its judges. Authorities say his efforts went beyond criticism. The accusations claim he lobbied U.S. politicians and officials to take action against those investigating his father — including requesting visa cancellations and asset freezes for members of the Brazilian judiciary and law enforcement.
Paulo Gonet, Brazil’s Attorney General, labeled Eduardo’s actions as potential “threats” aimed at obstructing justice. His request to open a formal investigation was accepted by Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who emphasized the seriousness of the claims in a written ruling.
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U.S. Response Sparks Controversy
The case escalated further when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made headlines by suggesting that sanctions might be placed on Justice Alexandre de Moraes. This sparked debate in both Brazil and the United States. Although Rubio cited concerns about judicial overreach, critics argued it was unusual for a U.S. official to comment on a foreign court’s internal affairs.
Eduardo Bolsonaro welcomed Rubio’s statement and quickly responded on social media with the message: “We will win.” His post was interpreted by some as an endorsement of international pressure on Brazil’s legal system.
Justice Moraes has previously clashed with other high-profile figures, including tech billionaire Elon Musk, over issues related to social media and free speech. These confrontations have added another layer of complexity to the Bolsonaro investigations, drawing global attention.
As of now, both Eduardo and Jair Bolsonaro are expected to comply with the Supreme Court’s order and appear for questioning. The investigation will focus on whether Eduardo’s outreach to foreign officials crossed legal lines by targeting Brazilian authorities working on a sensitive and high-profile case.
