Treasury Department sanctions Brazilian Supreme Court judge overseeing Bolsonaro case

The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the prosecution of country's former president Jair Bolsonaro.

The department accused the judge of being responsible for human rights violations and political prosecutions by authorizing arbitrary pre-trial detentions and suppressing freedom of expression. 

Bolsonaro has been accused of plotting to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election to stay in power, which he denies, and of conspiring with the U.S. government to impose sanctions against Brazilian officials.

“Alexandre de Moraes has taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against U.S. and Brazilian citizens and companies,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “De Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions—including against former President Jair Bolsonaro.  

"Today’s action makes clear that Treasury will continue to hold accountable those who threaten U.S. interests and the freedoms of our citizens," he added.

The sanctions come after the Trump administration revoked de Moraes' visa, and the visas of his family and friends earlier this month over his prosecution of Bolsonaro. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.