The Brazilian Supreme Court ordered that police raid former President Jair Bolsonaro’s home and place an ankle monitor on him on Friday, escalating its targeting of the conservative leader as President Donald Trump defends him.
After the Brazilian Supreme Court issued search warrants and restraining orders on Bolsonaro, federal police raided his home, and the former president was banned from contacting foreign officials, Reuters reported. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes cited a “concrete possibility” of Bolsonaro fleeing the country when he issued the order.
Brazil’s increased pressure on Bolsonaro comes shortly after President Trump defended his political ally and blasted the Brazilian Supreme Court for its “witch hunt” targeting Bolsonaro. Trump also imposed a 50% tariff on Brazil last week, citing the country’s “insidious attacks on Free Elections, and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans.”
“The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace,” Trump said in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “This trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!”
Moraes specifically called out Trump’s tariff on Brazil in his Friday order, arguing that it is intended to create an economic crisis in Brazil and interfere with the country’s judicial system.
On Thursday, Trump posted a letter on Truth Social that he sent to Bolsonaro, which read in part, “I have seen the terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you. This trial should end immediately! I am not surprised to see you leading in the polls; you were a highly respected and strong leader who served your country well.”
Bolsonaro told Reuters that he believes the Supreme Court’s move on Friday is in response to Trump’s recent comments. The former Brazilian president called Moraes a “dictator” and denied that he had any plans to flee the country.
“I feel supreme humiliation,” he added when asked about the ankle monitor. “I am 70 years old, I was president of the republic for four years.”
Bolsonaro is being tried over charges that he took part in an alleged coup against President Lula after his 2022 election loss. He has denied the allegations and argued that the charges against him are politically motivated. He has also maintained the support of millions of Brazilians as he faces the indictment brought against him by Lula’s leftist government.