Brazilian police raid Bolsonaro's home, order he wear electronic ankle tag over flight risk concern

Brazilian police on Friday raided the home of the country's former president, Jair Bolsonaro, and ordered him to wear an electronic ankle tag over a concern that he is a flight risk as he faces a criminal trial.

Police searched Bolsonaro's home and political headquarters, prevented him from speaking to foreign officials or approaching embassies, and prohibited him from using social media, CNN reported.

Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered the restrictions because of concerns that Bolsonaro would flee the country as he stands trial over an alleged plot to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election to stay in power. Bolsonaro has denied the allegation.

Bolsonaro and his son, Eduardo, are also accused by federal police of conspiring with the U.S. government to impose sanctions against Brazilian officials, according to court documents.

During the raid, police seized an unspecified amount of U.S. dollars in cash.

Bolsonaro said outside the police station Friday that the ankle tag is “supreme humiliation” and said that he “never thought of leaving Brazil.”

“The suspicions (of me leaving the country) are an exaggeration … damn it, I’m a former president of the republic – I’m 70 years old,” Bolsonaro said.

He added that police seized “about 14,000 U.S. dollars,” claiming the money was for personal use, and that he had the receipts to prove it.

Last week, Trump announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, citing its legal cases against Bolsonaro.

"Due in part to Brazil's insidious attacks on Free Elections, and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans... we will charge Brazil a Tariff of 50% on any and all Brazilian products sent into the United States," Trump wrote in a letter to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term, including by the United States, in an international disgrace. This Trial should not be taking place," he added.

Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday a letter to Bolsonaro, saying that the former president was suffering under an “unjust system,” and that he would be “watching closely.”

Bolsonaro posted a video on X in response, thanking Trump for his support with “eternal gratitude.”

On Friday, Brazil’s Supreme Court accused Bolsonaro and his son Eduardo of working with the U.S. to impose the tariffs.

According to court documents, Bolsonaro had a confidential meeting with a U.S. State Department official. The documents also called Trump’s letter “offensive” and a “clear threat” to Brazilian sovereignty.

Lula on Thursday told CNN that Trump’s threats didn't follow “protocol,” arguing that Bolsonaro's fate cannot be part of trade negotiations.

“The judiciary branch of power in Brazil is independent. The president of the Republic has no influence whatsoever,” Lula said, adding that Bolsonaro “is not being judged personally. He is being judged by the acts he tried to organize a coup d’etat.”

The Brazilian president was previously Bolsonaro's vice president and a minister of the Supreme Court.

Lula said that if Trump had taken the actions he did during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in Brazil, then he would be standing trial there.

Bolsonaro has been barred from running for office until 2030 after he lost reelection in 2022, which led to a Jan. 6-like riot against Lula returning to power. Bolsonaro was out of the country at the time but has faced charges in connection with the incident.

If Bolsonaro is found guilty of masterminding the coup, then he could face more than 40 years behind bars. He is one of 34 people who have been charged with five crimes, including attempting the coup. Prosecutors allege that the coup plot included a plan to potentially assassinate Lula.