U.S. Congressman Urges Rubio to Sanction Brazilian Judge Moraes as Secretary Confirms Sanctions Likely

U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, a Republican and co-chair of the House Human Rights Commission, has formally requested Secretary of State Marco Rubio to impose sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, a controversial justice of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court.

Smith’s letter, dated June 25, 2025, accuses Moraes of orchestrating transnational repression against Brazilian dissidents living in the United States.

This development follows the testimony of Brazilian journalist Paulo Figueiredo before the U.S. Congress, who claims to be a target of judicial persecution by Moraes.

Smith alleges that Moraes has used Interpol to bypass diplomatic channels and enforce Brazilian court orders abroad. He also claims Moraes pressured U.S. companies to restrict speech that is protected under American law.

Smith’s letter states, “Brazil has ceased to be a regional democratic partner and is approaching a point of institutional rupture.”

Figueiredo, who faces charges in Brazil for allegedly plotting a coup, maintains his innocence and says he has not been formally served any legal notice, learning of accusations only through the media.

U.S. Congressman Urges Rubio to Sanction Brazilian Judge Moraes as Secretary Confirms Sanctions Likely

He describes asset freezes, blocked social media, and passport cancellation as evidence of political persecution. The campaign against Moraes in the U.S. has gained momentum through coordinated lobbying.

Figueiredo and Eduardo Bolsonaro, a suspended Brazilian lawmaker and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, have met with key U.S. lawmakers, including Cory Mills, who chairs a House subcommittee on intelligence and national security.

These meetings led to direct questions in Congress about sanctioning Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act, which allows the U.S. to penalize foreign officials for human rights abuses or corruption with asset freezes and travel bans.

Secretary Rubio confirmed that sanctions against Moraes are under active review, stating, “There is a strong possibility this will occur.”

When the Judge Is Judged: U.S. Sanctions Put Brazil’s Justice Moraes Under Pressure

The Trump administration has signaled support for such measures. These developments have triggered a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.

Justice Moraes has become a polarizing figure in Brazil. He led a campaign to remove hundreds of social media accounts, mostly from right-wing users, citing threats to Brazil’s democracy.

Critics, including Elon Musk and Trump Media, argue that Moraes acts as a government censor, using his position to silence political opposition.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was previously convicted and later freed with support from Moraes, has publicly condemned the possibility of U.S. sanctions, calling them unacceptable interference in Brazil’s judicial process.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has stated that Moraes does not hold assets in the United States. The investigation into Eduardo Bolsonaro’s lobbying efforts has also intensified.

U.S. Congressman Urges Rubio to Sanction Brazilian Judge Moraes