Washington D.C. – U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Darren Beattie issued a statement Friday criticizing the conviction of former brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, calling it “a fateful new milestone in the censorship and persecution of Judge Moraes.” Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and 3 months in prison by Brazil‘s Supreme Court.
Beattie, a former Trump governance official, stated via X (formerly Twitter), “This decision represents a new fateful milestone in the censorship and persecution of Judge Moraes, a sanctioned human rights violator, against Bolsonaro and his supporters.” He previously signaled potential U.S. action regarding the case, stating the U.S.would continue to “take appropriate action” toward Minister Alexandre de moraes of the Federal Supreme Court.
The Supreme court found Bolsonaro and seven other defendants guilty of crimes including membership in a criminal association,attempted violent overthrow of the democratic rule of law,coup plotting,damage to federal property (excluding specific branches),and misuse of seized assets (also excluding specific branches). The ruling stems from investigations into a purported coup attempt following Bolsonaro’s 2022 election loss.
Four of the five justices on Brazil’s Supreme Court voted in favor of the sentence as of Friday, September 12, 2025.
