Supreme Court justices defend Moraes' decision to arrest Bolsonaro and predict "tension and violence" until the end of 2026.
Ministers believe that Moraes would be discredited if he did not react to the non-compliance with the precautionary measures.
247 - The decision by Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to place Jair Bolsonaro (PL) under house arrest has increased the climate of instability between the branches of government and generated apprehension within the STF itself. According to... g1Supreme Court justices foresee a scenario of "tension and violence" until November 2026, when the presidential elections conclude.
The assessment among members of the Supreme Court is that Moraes would have had no other alternative after Bolsonaro violated previously imposed precautionary measures—including the prohibition on participating in public demonstrations and the dissemination of messages, even through third parties, on social media. The former president's attitude was interpreted as a direct provocation, and if Moraes did not react, he would be discredited.
“They want to crush the Supreme Court and corner it,” stated one Supreme Court justice. Although most justices agreed there had been provocation, some felt Bolsonaro hadn't made serious enough statements to justify such a forceful response. Even so, the prevailing understanding was that Moraes' authority would be at risk if there were no reaction.
US pressure - The U.S. State Department's Western Hemisphere Bureau issued a statement criticizing Moraes' decision. The statement was interpreted as a gesture of support for the former Brazilian president and, according to sources within the Supreme Federal Court (STF), went further by signaling a threat to the justices who might endorse the rapporteur's decision.
At the moment, Moraes' decision does not need to be validated by the First Panel of the Supreme Court, but Bolsonaro's allies are already working to force this review. The leader of the PL party in the Chamber of Deputies, Sóstenes Cavalcante, stated that he will appeal to bring the decision to the full panel, putting the other ministers under political pressure — including the possible influence of former US President Donald Trump.
