Eduardo Bolsonaro Calls for U.S. Punishment of Moraes and Brazilian Leaders Using Magnitsky Act

Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of Brazil’s former president and a current congressman on leave, has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to punish Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and other top officials.

In a recent video, he urged Trump to use U.S. law—the Magnitsky Act—to freeze their assets and block their entry into the U.S., claiming these officials are abusing power and targeting his family for political reasons.

The Magnitsky Act lets the U.S. government sanction foreign individuals accused of corruption or serious human rights violations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that the government is reviewing whether to apply these sanctions to Moraes and others.

This follows growing concerns among some U.S. lawmakers about Brazil’s crackdown on opposition voices and social media. Tensions rose further when President Trump announced a 50% tariff on all Brazilian exports to the U.S., effective August 1, 2025.

Trump said the move responds to what he calls political persecution of the Bolsonaro family and restrictions on U.S. tech companies in Brazil. The tariff threatens $40 billion in annual U.S.-Brazil trade, hitting major sectors like steel and ethanol.

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Brazil’s President Lula da Silva has pushed back, defending the independence of Brazil’s courts and rejecting outside pressure. Lula’s government says its actions target threats to democracy, not political rivals.

Brazil’s Political Turmoil Escalates

Justice Moraes, who leads investigations into Jair Bolsonaro and his allies, has banned the former president from running for office until 2030 and ordered social media platforms to remove content seen as a threat to public order.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has now launched a criminal inquiry into Eduardo Bolsonaro’s campaign, saying it may be an attempt to interfere with justice. Legal experts stress that this step does not mean guilt, but allows further investigation.

This dispute now threatens to disrupt trade and business between the U.S. and Brazil, which are major economic partners. The standoff shows how political fights can quickly spill over into global markets, raising risks for companies and consumers in both countries.

The outcome could set new standards for how nations handle disagreements over law, politics, and trade on the world stage.

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