Editorial | Brazilian Justice Does Not Bow to U.S. Interference

Brazil is not a colony. It is not a protectorate. And it does not accept orders, threats, or “messages” from foreign powers. This week’s episode — in which officials from the Donald Trump administration openly attacked the Supreme Federal Court and threatened Brazilian judges with sanctions — is an intolerable affront to national sovereignty and democracy.

The United States Embassy in Brazil, in a completely inappropriate move, posted on social media that it was “watching” the decisions of the Supreme Court and that any official “allied” with Minister Alexandre de Moraes would be punished. This is not diplomatic rhetoric: it is outright blackmail against a Branch of the Republic, something unacceptable under any circumstances. Brazil’s response was immediate: Itamaraty summoned Gabriel Escobar, chargé d’affaires of the Embassy, to provide explanations. The official statement was clear: Brazil will not tolerate external interference, much less threats.

The situation is even more serious because it goes beyond words. The Trump administration has already applied Global Magnitsky Act sanctions against Moraes — freezing assets and restricting transactions — and revoked the visas of seven Supreme Court ministers. This measure, meant to target serious human rights violations, has been distorted to serve political interests of those who do not accept Brazil’s punishment of coup plotters.

And it must be said plainly: Jair Bolsonaro is not being persecuted. He is being held accountable. The precautionary measures imposed — passport seizure, electronic ankle bracelet, and finally house arrest — followed strict legal procedures. Bolsonaro faces charges of attempted coup d’état, criminal organization, incitement to insurrection, and other very serious crimes. His house arrest was only ordered after he participated, via video, in demonstrations in Copacabana and São Paulo that openly attacked the Supreme Court and demanded the removal of Moraes.

It is worth remembering: when Bolsonaro won the 2018 elections against Fernando Haddad, he praised the electoral system. Electronic voting machines only became “fraudulent” in his rhetoric after he lost to Lula in 2022. From his first day in office, he attacked institutions, especially the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), trying to undermine confidence in the democratic process.

Even more concerning is that Eduardo Bolsonaro, federal deputy and son of the former president, traveled to the United States to directly ask Trump to impose sanctions on Brazil. This is an act of political betrayal against his own country, putting personal interests above the nation.

Brazilian democracy is not perfect, but it is sovereign. Here, current and former leaders are judged according to the law, not under pressure from foreign governments. It is neither Donald Trump, nor the State Department, nor the U.S. Embassy that will determine the fate of Brazil’s Judiciary. Brazil’s message is simple and definitive: Justice in Brazil is free, and the country does not bow to threats from anyone.