Tensions between the United States and Brazil are growing fast. At the center of it all is Alexandre de Moraes, a Brazilian Supreme Court justice, and Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro.
The situation became even more serious this week after Eduardo Bolsonaro, a current congressman, visited the White House. He pushed top U.S. officials to take action against Moraes, who is overseeing his father’s trial.
Justice Moraes is leading the case against Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting a violent attempt to stay in power after losing the 2022 election. If convicted, the former president could face decades in prison.
Eduardo Bolsonaro is urging former U.S. President Donald Trump to go further than just making public statements. He wants the U.S. to impose official sanctions on Moraes. In a video filmed outside the White House, Eduardo said, “decisions are being made,” hinting that the sanctions could be close.
Tariffs Spark Outrage, Sanctions Could Worsen It
The issue exploded after Trump recently announced plans to place a 50% tariff on Brazilian products. He claimed Brazil was treating Jair Bolsonaro unfairly and described the investigation as a “witch hunt.”
Brazil’s current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, quickly responded. He stated that Brazil’s legal system is strong and said, “No one is above the law.” Lula’s administration confirmed they will not negotiate or interfere in the prosecution of Bolsonaro.
Trump’s proposed tariffs have already upset many Brazilians. A recent poll by Quaest Research showed that 72% of Brazilians believe the tariffs are wrong, and 79% worry they will be personally harmed. The controversy has actually helped President Lula, whose approval ratings have slightly improved during the standoff with Trump.
The proposed sanctions against Moraes would fall under the Global Magnitsky Act, a U.S. law that allows punishment for foreign individuals accused of corruption or human rights abuses. Normally, this law is used in extreme cases, like those involving Russia or China — not usually against judges in democratic countries.
Judge Moraes at the Center of a Global Battle
Justice Alexandre de Moraes has become a central figure in Brazil’s political crisis. He is known for fighting disinformation and ordering social media platforms to remove illegal content. In one case, he even suspended the platform X (formerly Twitter) during a dispute with Elon Musk, after the company refused to follow Brazilian court orders.
These actions have made Moraes a major target of Brazil’s right-wing figures. Conservative voices in both Brazil and the U.S. say he is censoring free speech.
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Eduardo Bolsonaro has used these claims in his push for U.S. sanctions. Sources say he and Paulo Figueiredo, a right-wing influencer facing charges for his role in the alleged coup plot, have visited the White House many times. Figueiredo said they submitted dozens of reports on Brazil’s political situation and met with nearly 50 members of Congress.
U.S. Officials Push Back on Sanctions
One senior U.S. State Department official said the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which usually handles sanctions, has refused to move forward with the proposed measures. The official called the idea “hard to defend” and damaging to U.S. credibility.
Trump’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed in a congressional hearing that sanctions against Moraes are still “under review.”
Figueiredo stated that the goal isn’t to hurt Brazilians, but to “free them.” Still, political pressure is rising, and many fear that Eduardo Bolsonaro is giving Trump advice that could lead to a damaging trade war with Latin America’s largest economy.
One person close to both the White House and the Bolsonaro family said that while Trump sympathizes with Jair Bolsonaro, the political strategy may backfire. “People think Trump has a screwdriver in his pocket, and he brings out a hammer,” the person added.