U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has slapped visa restrictions on a Brazilian judge who has former President Jair Bolsonaro in his crosshairs, as Fox News reports. The move signals a bold stand against what many see as a politicized crusade masquerading as justice. It’s a jab at Brazil’s judicial overreach that’s got conservatives cheering.

Rubio announced the sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and his allies, following Moraes’ aggressive orders against Bolsonaro, including search warrants and an ankle monitor.

This stems from allegations that Bolsonaro sought foreign interference from President Donald Trump to meddle in Brazil’s courts. The U.S. isn’t sitting idly by while a foreign judge plays hardball with a former ally.

The Brazilian Supreme Court, led by Moraes, issued warrants that led to federal police raiding Bolsonaro’s home. They slapped an ankle monitor on the former president and barred him from social media, contacting foreign officials, or even nearing embassies. It’s a heavy-handed tactic that smells more like political theater than due process.

Bolsonaro facing judicial crackdown

Bolsonaro, now 70, called the ankle monitor a “supreme humiliation.” He’s a former president, not a common crook, yet Moraes treats him like a flight risk with a seized passport. The conservative firebrand’s indignation resonates with those who see this as a vendetta.

Moraes justified his orders by claiming a “concrete possibility” Bolsonaro might flee Brazil. The judge’s reasoning hinges on accusations that Bolsonaro tried to enlist Trump to sway Brazil’s judicial system. Sounds like a stretch when you consider the broader context of Brazil’s polarized politics.

The Supreme Court’s five-judge panel upheld Moraes’ decision, doubling down on the restrictions. Bolsonaro’s barred from contacting key allies, including his son Eduardo, a Brazilian congressman working to rally U.S. support for his father. Cutting family ties in the name of justice feels like a low blow.

Trump’s tariff threat looms

Trump didn’t mince words, calling Bolsonaro’s trial a “witch hunt” and announcing a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods starting Aug. 1. “This trial should end immediately!” he wrote to Bolsonaro, signaling solidarity. The tariff threat is a classic Trump power move, but it risks escalating tensions with Brazil.

Moraes fired back, claiming Trump’s tariffs aim to spark an economic crisis in Brazil to undermine its courts. He described Bolsonaro’s alleged outreach to Trump as an attack on national sovereignty. That’s rich coming from a judge whose orders look like they’re ripped from a dictator’s playbook.

Rubio’s visa restrictions target Moraes, his unspecified court allies, and even his immediate family. “President Trump made clear that his administration will hold accountable foreign nationals who are responsible for censorship,” Rubio said. The statement’s a pointed rebuke to Moraes’ overreach, especially when it spills over to Americans.

Political persecution or quest for accountability?

Rubio didn’t stop there, accusing Moraes of orchestrating a “political witch hunt” that violates Brazilians’ rights and targets Americans. His words echo the frustration of conservatives who see global elites weaponizing institutions against populist leaders. It’s a narrative that’s hard to dismiss when you look at the facts.

Bolsonaro’s trial centers on charges he plotted a coup to block President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office in January 2023. The allegations are serious, but the court’s draconian measures -- such as banning contact with his own son -- raise eyebrows. Is this justice or a progressive power grab dressed up as law?

Eduardo Bolsonaro’s efforts in the U.S. to drum up support for his father add another layer. Moraes’ restrictions seem designed to isolate Bolsonaro and silence his allies. It’s a tactic that feels more like censorship than accountability.

Conservatives rally behind Bolsonaro

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly didn’t hold back, stating, “Bolsonaro and his supporters are under attack from a weaponized court system.”

Her words capture the MAGA movement’s sympathy for a leader they see as a kindred spirit. The parallel to Trump’s own legal battles isn’t lost on anyone.

Bolsonaro himself hasn’t stayed quiet, reportedly calling Moraes a “dictator” and his orders “cowardice.” The former president’s defiance strikes a chord with those who view this as a battle against globalist overreach. Yet, his back’s against the wall with no easy way out.

The U.S. visa sanctions and tariff threats signal a broader pushback against what many conservatives see as a dangerous precedent.

If Brazil’s courts can muzzle a former president with such ease, what’s stopping other nations from following suit? It’s a question that should keep freedom-loving folks up at night.