The recent imposition of sanctions by the United States against Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes marks a significant escalation in international political tensions. This action was announced on Wednesday by the Treasury Department, which accused Justice De Moraes of engaging in “arbitrary” detentions, censoring political expression, and conducting politically motivated legal actions. The sanctions come on the heels of President Donald Trump's previous threats to levy a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports if the legal proceedings against the country's former President Jair Bolsonaro persisted.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent articulated the rationale behind the sanctions, asserting that Justice De Moraes had overstepped his bounds by becoming both the judge and prosecutor in what he termed an "unlawful witch hunt" against American and Brazilian citizens and enterprises. According to Bessent, De Moraes is leading a campaign rife with censorship, political persecution, and human rights abuses. He conveyed that the Treasury will persist in holding those compromising U.S. interests and the liberties of its citizens accountable.
The sanctions, which involve freezing all assets and properties of Justice De Moraes within U.S. jurisdiction or controlled by U.S. entities, emanate from Executive Order 13818. This order, signed by Trump during his presidency in 2017, expands on the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, authorizing the U.S. government to penalize foreign officials implicated in corruption or human rights violations.
The announcement comes amidst reports of informal diplomatic efforts by Bolsonaro's son, Eduardo, in conjunction with Trump's administration to encourage U.S. intervention in the matter. Justice De Moraes, serving as the official rapporteur for the Bolsonaro case, has been pivotal in advancing the criminal investigation, which accuses Bolsonaro and 33 others of conspiring to maintain power following the 2022 electoral defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Allegations against Bolsonaro include drafting a decree to provide legal justification for the plan, pressuring military officials for support, and inciting public disorder with the intent to destabilize the government. The Brazilian Prosecutor-General's office has also presented claims involving schemes to poison President Lula and assassinate a Supreme Court justice, as detailed in an extensive 884-page report. In March, Brazil's Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by a five-judge panel, accepted the charges and mandated Bolsonaro to face trial.
Trump has vociferously condemned the trial as a politically motivated sham intended to stifle dissent, labeling it "a disgraceful attack on freedom." This latest round of sanctions also follows a precedent set by the Trump administration, which recently targeted four International Criminal Court judges over decisions affecting U.S. and Israeli sovereignty. Secretary Bessent reaffirmed the administration's commitment to safeguarding civil liberties and exposing corruption globally, emphasizing that the sanctions against De Moraes send a potent message to foreign officials who misuse their power.
In a public demonstration of support for Bolsonaro, Trump penned a letter urging an immediate halt to the trial. He mentioned his utilization of U.S. tariff policy as a means of expressing disapproval and voiced his earnest hope for a governmental shift in Brazil.
