Bolsonaro’s Passport Remains Seized, Barring His Attendance at Trump’s Inauguration

Alexandre de Moraes, a Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice, has denied Jair Bolsonaro’s request to travel to the United States for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.

The former Brazilian president’s passport remains seized since February 2024 due to ongoing investigations into his alleged involvement in a coup attempt.

Moraes rejected the defense’s plea, citing concerns that Bolsonaro might flee the country to seek asylum abroad. The Justice referenced Bolsonaro’s statement in a Folha de São Paulo interview, where he mentioned considering political asylum to avoid potential criminal charges in Brazil.

The Justice noted that Bolsonaro’s situation has worsened since his passport was initially seized. New indictments and additional information from the Federal Police have emerged regarding his participation in the alleged coup plot.

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Moraes also pointed out Bolsonaro’s encouragement of flight for those convicted in the January 8 coup attempts. He cited Bolsonaro’s video appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Argentina on December 4, 2024.

The Prosecutor General of the Republic, Paulo Gonet, opposed Bolsonaro’s trip to the United States. Gonet argued that the journey served only Bolsonaro’s private interests and was not essential. He emphasized that Bolsonaro no longer holds an official representative position for Brazil.

Bolsonaro’s Passport Remains Seized, Barring His Attendance at Trump’s Inauguration

President-elect Donald Trump considers imposing tariffs on Brazil for alleged left-wing judicial activism. The Wall Street Journal reports Trump’s team views recent Brazilian court actions as politically motivated persecution of opposition figures.

This move could significantly impact U.S.-Brazil trade relations, which totaled $78.2 billion in 2024. Trump’s proposed tariffs target countries he believes use their legal systems to target political opponents.

That is why Moraes’ decision could have profound implications beyond the courtroom. Trump’s known penchant for retaliatory trade measures could lead to significant economic repercussions for Brazil, potentially affecting billions in trade.

Bolsonaro’s defense team had requested temporary return of his passport for a trip from January 17 to 22, 2025. They claimed the travel would not interfere with ongoing investigations.

Bolsonaro’s Passport Remains Seized, Barring His Attendance at Trump’s Inauguration