President Trump said he is watching the ‘witch hunt’ trial very closely and has vowed to impose 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian imports.
In just two years, Jair Bolsonaro has gone from president of Brazil to facing trial on charges of orchestrating an attempted coup, being placed under house arrest, and being banned from social media.
Prosecutors accuse the former military officer of leading a plot to overturn the 2022 election results—an allegation he denies.
The case marks the first time a former Brazilian president has been charged with attempting a coup.
It has drawn international attention, with President Donald Trump—one of Bolsonaro’s allies—calling it a “witch hunt.”
The coming week will be decisive for the 70-year-old, as Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court rules on his guilt or innocence—and whether he could face up to 30 years in prison.
Here’s what we know so far, and what to expect in the days ahead.
Why Is Bolsonaro on Trial?
Bolsonaro became president of Brazil in 2019 and held the office until 2022, after losing in a tight race against current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known locally as “Lula.”
Following his defeat, Bolsonaro alleged that the outcome had been affected by the manipulation of electronic ballot boxes by his opposition.
On Jan. 8, 2023, Bolsonaro’s supporters attacked government buildings. The next day, Bolsonaro condemned these attacks and denied responsibility.
However, in November 2024, officials charged Bolsonaro and others with attempting to overturn the rule of law and an attempted coup d’état.
These weren’t the only legal challenges he has faced.
In June 2023, the Brazilian Superior Electoral Court convicted him of fraud and counts related to the Jan. 8 incidents, and he was declared ineligible to run again until 2030.
In October 2023, the same court convicted Bolsonaro of abuse of power for his use of Brazil’s Independence Day to promote his candidacy, a violation of Brazilian law.
What Was He Charged With?
Bolsonaro is charged with attempting to stage a coup d’état, attempting violent abolition of the democratic rule of law, involvement in an armed criminal organization, aggravated damage to federal property, and damage to listed heritage.
He has denied the charges.
The attempted coup charge alone could result in a 12-year prison sentence, while leading an armed criminal organization and attempting to overthrow the democratic rule of law each carry a maximum sentence of eight years.
The remaining charges carry a maximum of three years’ imprisonment each.
If found guilty of all charges and given the maximum penalty for each, Bolsonaro could be sent to prison for more than 30 years.
Bolsonaro is alleged to be at the center of the coup plot, but is also standing trial alongside seven of his allies who are facing the same charges.
They are: Alexandre Ramagem, the former director of the Brazilian Intelligence Agency; Almir Garnier, a retired Navy commander; Anderson Torres, a former minister of justice and former secretary of security of the Federal District; and Augusto Heleno, a former minister of the Institutional Security Office.
Also standing trial are Paulo Sergio Nogueira, a former minister of defense; Walter Braga Netto, a former minister during Bolsonaro’s presidency and candidate for vice president on the 2022 ticket; and Mauro Cesar Cid, Bolsonaro’s former aide-de-camp.
