Supreme Court Minister Alexandre de Moraes countered criticism that it promotes a “witch hunt” against Jair Bolsonaro and allies. In an interview with the American newspaper The Washington Postthe magistrate said there was no possibility of retreat, amid pressure and restrictions imposed by the government of Donald Trump, which accuses him of violating the freedom of expression and the human rights of figures of the Brazilian right.
In the interview, Moraes stressed that his role would be to apply “a vaccine” against the “illness” that threatens democracy, in a metaphor for the coup threats and the history of authoritarianism in the country.
“I understand that for American culture, it is more difficult to understand the fragility of democracy, because there has never been a blow there,” said Moraes. “But Brazil had years of dictatorship under Getúlio Vargas, then 20 years of military regime and numerous coup attempts. When you are more attacked by a disease, you form stronger antibodies and seek a preventive vaccine.”
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In the report the Washington Post He described the STF minister as a “sheriff of democracy.” Moraes watched a game from his heart team, Corinthians, when he received the information, on his cell phone, that Jair Bolsonaro had breached the magistrate’s orders not to use social networks.
Moraes “acted immediately” and determined, on August 4, that the former president would comply with house arrest. The episode was reported by the minister himself in the interview, published on Monday.
To the American newspaper, Moraes said he was not intimidated after the US government Donald Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Brazilian products, revoking his entry visa in the country, and including it in the list of magnitsky law.
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“There is no possibility of retreating even a millimeter,” Moraes said during the interview, granted in his office this month. “We will do what is right: we will receive the accusation, we will analyze the evidence, and whoever has to be condemned will be condemned; who has to be acquitted will be acquitted.”
The American newspaper recalled that it was Moraes who determined the suspension of the operation of X in Brazil, for breach of court decisions, which made the owner of the platform, billionaire Elon Musk, call him “Darth Vader do Brasil”.
The STF minister also ordered the arrest of acting politicians and former public positions, as well as unilaterally dismissing the governor of Brasilia, after the scammers of January 8, 2023.
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“Now, by placing the former president in house arrest and banning him from social networks, he has effectively silenced one of the best-known global right figures in the world,” wrote the Washington Post, who described Moraes as “the most powerful jurist in Brazil’s history.”
‘Chosen’ for ‘shield’ against attacks
The newspaper heard 12 friends and colleagues from Moraes. Most, according to the Washington Postdefended the minister as someone whose firm measures helped preserve Brazilian democracy at a time when authoritarianism grows around the world. ”
But others stated that he became “too powerful” and “committed excesses,” which would have put the STF’s legitimacy “at risk.” Moraes disagreed.
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“There is no way to retreat from what we should do,” he said. “I say this with total tranquility.”
The newspaper reports that, in early 2019, the then president of STF Dias Toffoli called Moraes with an “urgent request” amid Jair Bolsonaro’s rise and direct attacks on the court, including one of former President Eduardo Bolsonaro’s sons.
“Disinformation, threats and appeals to close the court began to flourish on social networks” and Moraes, with a career in the fight against crime, was the “chosen” to command “a shield”: an investigation into “fake news” and undemocratic rhetoric.
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The Washington Post stressed that the opening of the calculation represented a “rupture”, as the STF “traditionally has no authority to start its own investigations.” Moraes may use investigative powers, trigger the Federal Police, and support themselves more restricted legislation regarding the extent of freedom of expression compared to those in force in the United States.
Moraes was eventually responsible for virtually all surveys related to attacks on the democratic order by Bolsonaro and his supporters, highlighted the Washington Post, which also cited the role of the minister as president of the Superior Electoral Court during the 2022 elections.
It was he who commanded the processes that made Bolsonaro ineligible and who took place last year of the accusations that the former president would have planned to keep himself in power, in a plan that would involve killing political rivals. Bolsonaro says he is the target of persecution.
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“This is a legitimate legal process,” said Moraes. “One hundred and seventy -nine witnesses have already been heard.”
Moraes denies having ‘too much power’
Asked if he would have too much power, Moraes rejected the idea. He said his Supreme colleagues have already reviewed more than 700 decisions of his after appeals.
“Do you know how many I lost?” Asked Moraes. “None”.
To the Washington Post, Moraes also said he inspired the history of the US government, citing the thoughts of John Jay, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
“Every constitutionalist has great admiration for the United States,” said the minister, to whom tension between the United States and Brazil is “temporary” and motivated by political and misinformation. He pointed out Eduardo Bolsonaro as one of those responsible for this scenario.
“These false narratives eventually poisoned the relationship, false narratives supported by misinformation spread by these people on social networks,” said Moraes. “What we need to do, and what Brazil is doing, is to clarify things.”
Moraes also commented on the loss of his own personal freedoms.
“Is it pleasant to go through this?” He asked. “Of course it’s not pleasant.”
But, according to him, “as long as there is need, the investigation will continue.”
