Moraes puts Bolsonaro on an ankle bracelet and the coup action in the Supreme Court becomes a new trench against Trump

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The government of Donald Trump revoked, on Friday night, the visas of ministers of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and their family members. The measure was taken just hours after Minister Alexandre de Moraes imposed an electronic ankle bracelet and other restrictions on former President Jair Bolsonaro . Moraes' decision is part of the new investigation that looks into an alleged attempt to coerce the Supreme Court, through American sanctions, to reverse the trial in which Bolsonaro is a defendant for attempted coup d'état.

The episode marks the culmination of a crisis that has escalated rapidly in recent days, beginning with the 50% tariff hike imposed by the United States on all imported Brazilian products and exacerbated by public accusations between Donald Trump and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, political maneuvering by federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP), and a series of diplomatic gestures with a strong symbolic charge. Below, see the main milestones of this escalation:

July 7 – Trump talks about a ‘witch hunt’ against Bolsonaro and Lula responds

In a post on Truth Social, his social network, President Donald Trump stated that Brazil is doing a"terrible thing" in its treatment of Bolsonaro."Leave Bolsonaro alone," he wrote, calling the lawsuits against the former president"persecution" and a "witch hunt."

The publication was interpreted as a result of behind-the-scenes negotiations by Eduardo Bolsonaro. Since early June, the congressman claims to have held meetings with Republican congressmen and close aides to Donald Trump to seek US sanctions against Supreme Court justices—especially Moraes, the rapporteur of the criminal case accusing his father of attempted coup d'état.

In a statement, President Lula responded to the offensive and stated that Brazil is a “sovereign country” that does not accept “interference or tutelage from anyone.”

July 9 – Trump announces a 50% tariff increase on Brazilian products

Trump announced 50% tariffs on all products imported from Brazil , scheduled to begin on August 1st. Among the justifications presented are the country's treatment of Bolsonaro and the Supreme Court's rulings against American technology companies."This trial should not be happening. It's a witch hunt that must end IMMEDIATELY!" the former president wrote.

On the same day, Eduardo Bolsonaro thanked Trump for his support and published a statement in which he appealed to Brazilian authorities to “avoid escalating the conflict and adopt an institutional solution that restores freedoms,” in reference to Congress’ approval of an amnesty for Bolsonaro.

July 10 – Bolsonaro says he has ‘admiration’ for the American government

A day after announcing the tariff hike, Bolsonaro stated on social media that he has"respect and admiration for the United States government" and attributed the decision to the Lula administration's foreign policy."This would never have happened under my administration," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Eduardo Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has raised his voice against Moraes. In a video posted on his Instagram profile, the congressman challenged the minister to include the US president in the fake news investigation and stated that Trump will"go after" Moraes.

July 14 – PGR requests Bolsonaro's conviction

The Attorney General's Office has requested the conviction of Bolsonaro, former ministers, and military personnel who, according to the prosecution, were part of the"crucial nucleus" of the coup plot. The combined sentences could put Bolsonaro at risk of up to 43 years in prison.

July 17 – Trump sends letter of support to Bolsonaro

Donald Trump published a letter to Bolsonaro on Truth Social . In the text, he stated that the tariff hike is a"manifestation of disapproval" of the criminal action accusing the former Brazilian president of attempted coup d'état.

July 17 – Lula calls Trump ‘emperor of the world’ and the White House reacts

In an interview with CNN International, Lula once again criticized Donald Trump and refuted the allegation that the Supreme Court was persecuting Bolsonaro."We cannot have President Trump forgetting that he was elected to govern the United States, not to be emperor of the world," he stated.

In response, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said,"Trump is not trying to be emperor of the world."

July 18 – Bolsonaro is the target of precautionary measures

Moraes ordered a series of precautionary measures against Jair Bolsonaro , including the use of an electronic ankle bracelet and a ban on contact with foreign authorities and his son, deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro.

In his decision, Moraes responded to a request from the Attorney General's Office and opened a new investigation, stating that the evidence gathered demonstrates coordinated action between Jair Bolsonaro and Eduardo Bolsonaro to coerce the Supreme Court into interfering in the criminal case accusing the former president of attempted coup d'état. Both are now under investigation in the new inquiry.

According to the minister, the crimes of coercion during the course of the process, obstruction of the investigation of a criminal offense involving a criminal organization, and an attack on sovereignty by Bolsonaro were characterized.

July 19 – US revokes visas of Supreme Court justices and their families

The revocation of diplomatic visas of Supreme Court justices and their family members was announced by Trump administration Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The measure was taken just hours after Justice Alexandre de Moraes imposed an electronic ankle bracelet and other restrictions on former President Jair Bolsonaro.

"President Trump has made it clear that his administration will hold accountable foreigners responsible for censoring protected speech in the United States. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes' political witch hunt against Jair Bolsonaro has created a complex of persecution and censorship so comprehensive that it not only violates the basic rights of Brazilians but also extends beyond Brazil's borders, affecting Americans," Rubio wrote on the social network X.