Trump Administration Revokes Visas Of Brazilian Judges Citing ‘Witch-Hunt’ Against Bolsonaro

Last Updated:July 22, 2025, 20:12 IST

The former President of Brazil is currently facing trial for his involvement in an alleged attempted coup.

Donald Trump had reportedly repeatedly tried to pressure the federal judges in Brazil

The United States’ administration under President Donald Trump has announced plans to deal with Brazilian judges who ruled against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated the administration’s decision to revoke the travel visas of the eight judges in an official notice.

The restrictions were imposed after the US administration found the judicial members responsible for a “political witch-hunt" against Bolsonaro. After the notice was issued, it has now become difficult for the eight judges involved in the matter and their immediate family members to travel to the US.

The move comes as a strong protest against their treatment of Bolsonaro, who is considered to be an ally of the US President. Rubio, in the official notice, has accused Alexandre de Moraes, a judge at the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court, of creating a sweeping “persecution and censorship complex," which aims to violate the basic rights of Brazilians, and Americans, in the long run.

While Rubio has not named the other judges, a new report by Brazilian daily O Globo has identified the other victims to be Luís Roberto Barroso, José Antonio Dias Toffoli, Cristiano Zanin, Flávio Dino, Cármen Lúcia Antunes Rocha, Luiz Edson Fachin, and Gilmar Ferreira Mendes.

The former President of Brazil is currently facing trial for his involvement in an alleged attempted coup in 2022 election. Starting last week, the police have made a move to restrict Bolsonaro from absconding by fitting an electronic tag to him.

However, Trump believes that his prosecution is unjust. In a letter sent to Bolsonaro, as per Daily Beast, Trump wrote, “I have seen the terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you."

Before introducing visa restrictions, Trump had reportedly repeatedly tried to pressure the federal judges in Brazil. In this regard, he also announced on July 9 the imposition of 50% tariffs on all Brazilian imports starting August 1. However, his move triggered anger in the South American country, where the action was described as “unacceptable blackmail."

The current President of Brazil, Lácio Lula da Silva has criticised the actions of the US government. He said, “Interference in another country’s justice system is unacceptable and offends the basic principles of national sovereignty and respect between nations."

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News world Trump Administration Revokes Visas Of Brazilian Judges Citing ‘Witch-Hunt’ Against Bolsonaro