In a dramatic political development, Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro, has fled to the United States seeking political asylum. The Brazilian legislator claims he’s the target of political persecution by a powerful Supreme Court Minister, raising serious questions about democracy in the South American nation.
At a glance:
• Eduardo Bolsonaro, Brazilian lawmaker and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is seeking political asylum in the United States
• He claims Supreme Federal Tribunal Minister Alexandre de Moraes is persecuting him and threatening Brazil’s democracy
• Bolsonaro has been in the U.S. since February and announced he has no plans to return to Brazil
• Brazil’s top court denied a request to seize his passport after accusations he conspired with U.S. lawmakers
• His father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, supports his son’s decision to seek asylum
Bolsonaro Flees Political Persecution
Eduardo Bolsonaro, a member of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, has announced he’s seeking political asylum in the United States after facing what he describes as political persecution. The son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been in the U.S. since February and has officially taken unpaid leave from his legislative duties in his home country.
Bolsonaro claims Supreme Federal Tribunal Minister Alexandre de Moraes has targeted him with illegal actions that threaten Brazil’s democratic institutions. The prominent conservative lawmaker’s decision comes after Brazilian legislators requested an investigation into him for alleged crimes against national sovereignty.
The investigation stems from accusations that Bolsonaro conspired with American legislators against Brazil’s judicial framework. Despite this, Brazil’s top court justice denied a request to seize Bolsonaro’s passport, allowing him to remain in the United States.
Family Support and Legal Maneuvering
Former President Jair Bolsonaro has publicly supported his son’s decision to seek asylum. The elder Bolsonaro, who has faced his own legal challenges since leaving office, has consistently maintained that Brazil’s judiciary has overreached its authority and purposely targets conservative politicians.
Eduardo Bolsonaro’s move appears strategically timed, as Brazilian lawmakers can take leave of absence for up to 120 days without losing their mandate. If his absence extends beyond this period, his seat will be temporarily filled by Missionary José Olímpio.
The political asylum seeker has criticized what he sees as the erosion of parliamentary immunity in Brazil under the current administration. Bolsonaro plans to use his time in the United States to focus on seeking justice against de Moraes, whom he accuses of multiple illegal actions against conservative politicians.
🇺🇸 @jairbolsonaro voluntarily returned from the USA in March/2023, when the JAN8 investigation in Brazil was already underway.
🇦🇷Later, in December, he went to Argentina, also for an inauguration, of the great President @JMilei .
There is absolutely no risk of running away that…
— Eduardo Bolsonaro🇧🇷 (@BolsonaroSP) January 16, 2025
International Implications
This high-profile asylum case could strain relations between the United States and Brazil’s leftist government led by President Lula da Silva. The case sheds light on growing concerns about judicial overreach and potential political persecution in Brazil, once considered Latin America’s most stable democracy.
Conservative American lawmakers may see Bolsonaro’s case as yet more evidence of leftist authoritarianism taking hold in Brazil. The situation mirrors concerns many Republicans have raised about politically motivated prosecutions against conservatives in various countries, including the United States.
