Marco Rubio says U.S. sanctions against Justice Moraes “a great possibility” | Foreign Affairs

Speaking during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing, Mr. Rubio responded to a question from Representative Cory Mills, a Republican from Florida, regarding the potential for U.S. sanctions against the Brazilian justice. “That [sanction] is under review now, and it’s a great possibility that will happen,” said Mr. Rubio.

Rep. Mills raised concerns about what he described as an “alarming human rights decline in Brazil,” citing the potential arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro (Liberal Party, PL) and alleged “pervasive censorship” and “political persecution targeting the entire opposition.” He asked whether the Global Magnitsky Act, which allows the U.S. government to sanction foreign nationals accused of human rights violations or corruption, could be applied to Justice de Moraes.

Possible penalties under the Magnitsky Act include entry bans to the U.S., asset freezes, and restrictions on property owned within the country.

Mr. Rubio did not offer further details on the Trump administration’s review process or timeline for a decision.

Brazil’s Supreme Court declined to comment on the remarks but denied that Justice de Moraes holds any assets in the United States. “Justice Alexandre de Moraes does not have and has never had assets, money, or any property in the United States,” the Court said in a statement.

The U.S. secretary of state’s comments quickly circulated among supporters of Mr. Bolsonaro on social media. Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL of São Paulo), a congressman on leave and a son of the Brazilian former president who is currently living in the U.S., said he met last week with Rep. Mills, the lawmaker who raised the issue with Mr. Rubio. Eduardo Bolsonaro has been actively lobbying the Trump administration to pressure Justice de Moraes and defend his father, who is now a defendant in a Supreme Court case over an alleged coup attempt.

“In the American arena, it’s Trump who calls the shots, not Moraes,” wrote Eduardo Bolsonaro in an Instagram post earlier this month, referring to his campaign for international support. “Let’s see how the ‘brave judge’ behaves when playing away from home.”

In February, under the Trump administration, the House Committee on the Judiciary approved a bill that would bar Justice de Moraes from entering the U.S. or even allow his deportation. Backed by Republican lawmakers, the legislation is awaiting a full House vote.

Originally introduced in September 2024 by Representatives Darrell Issa and María Elvira Salazar, both critics of Brazil’s Supreme Court, the bill came in response to Justice de Moraes’ decision to suspend the social media platform X in Brazil after the company refused to comply with court orders. Earlier this year, Justice de Moraes also imposed sanctions against two other U.S. companies: video platform Rumble and Trump Media & Technology Group, which is owned by the current U.S. president.