Brazil’s former leader, Jair Bolsonaro, has been put under house arrest by a top court judge. The decision came after Bolsonaro was accused of breaking a ban on using social media while he is still on trial for trying to overturn the results of the 2022 election.
This latest move has made the situation more tense between Brazil’s courts and the former right-wing president. Bolsonaro is suspected of planning to stay in power after he lost the election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who is leading the trial, said Bolsonaro has repeatedly ignored court rules. The judge had earlier banned Bolsonaro from posting online or having anyone else post messages on his behalf during the legal proceedings.
Despite this, a video call between Bolsonaro and his son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, was shared online during a pro-Bolsonaro rally in Rio de Janeiro. The court saw this as a clear violation of its rules.
Judge Moraes responded strongly, saying that no one should think they can trick the justice system just because they have money or political power. As punishment, Bolsonaro is now under house arrest in Brasília. He can’t use a phone, receive visitors (except his lawyers), and police took several phones from his home.
Bolsonaro, who is now 70 years old, had already been ordered to wear an ankle tracker and follow a curfew at night and on weekends. These were part of his conditions before trial.
The United States quickly reacted to the situation. Its State Department criticized Judge Moraes on social media, accusing him of using his position to silence opponents and harm democracy in Brazil. The message said Bolsonaro should be allowed to speak freely.
Bolsonaro’s son, Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, supported the U.S. statement and accused Brazil’s courts of destroying democracy. He even called Judge Moraes a “psychopath.”
The U.S., now under President Donald Trump again since his 2024 return, has already punished Moraes by freezing his U.S. assets and banning him from entering the country. Moraes, however, sees himself as protecting Brazil’s democracy from extreme political groups.
The case against Bolsonaro is based on claims that he and seven others plotted to cancel the 2022 election results. Prosecutors believe the plan failed only because the military refused to help. If found guilty, Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in jail. A verdict is expected soon.
In January 2023, after Lula took office, Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed Congress in a violent protest. The chaos was compared to the January 6 Capitol riot in the U.S. led by Trump supporters.
Even though he is banned from running for office again, Bolsonaro hopes to return to politics in 2026, inspired by Trump’s comeback. His supporters remain loyal, with rallies across major cities showing U.S. flags and signs praising Trump.
Current President Lula, now 79, has not ruled out running again in 2026, depending on his health. He was recently hospitalized after a fall that caused a brain injury.
