Brazil’s Supreme Court has placed former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest amid ongoing investigations into his alleged involvement in plotting a violent uprising following his defeat in the 2022 elections. The latest order follows claims that Bolsonaro violated court-imposed restrictions by maintaining contact with former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a report by the BBC.
The ruling was issued on Monday by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who himself has recently come under U.S. sanctions. The court stated that Bolsonaro repeatedly defied judicial orders by making political statements and engaging in prohibited communications. As part of the house arrest conditions, Bolsonaro’s mobile phone has been confiscated, and all visits to his residence have been restricted—except for his lawyers and individuals authorized by the court.
Bolsonaro’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the decision, asserting that the former president did not breach any court orders. However, the court maintains that Bolsonaro has repeatedly flouted restrictions. One cited example was his remote speech at a protest in Rio de Janeiro, which was deemed a direct violation of the court’s instructions.
Reacting to the development, Donald Trump described the proceedings as a “witch hunt” and announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, with threats to impose further economic penalties. The U.S. State Department also criticized Justice Moraes, accusing him of using Brazil’s legal institutions to suppress opposition and undermine democracy. The department warned of potential sanctions against those complicit in such actions.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s son, condemned the court’s decision as “political revenge.” He said, “I hope the Supreme Court puts a stop to this judge’s outrageous conduct.”
Investigations into Bolsonaro’s role began after the violent storming of government buildings in Brasília by his supporters in January 2023—a scene many compared to the U.S. Capitol riot. The country’s electoral court has already ruled Bolsonaro ineligible to run for public office until 2030.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro’s other son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, has traveled to the United States to rally political support. He claimed that his efforts influenced Trump’s recent tariff decision and described Justice Moraes as “a deranged tyrant.”