Former President Jair Bolsonaro wants to travel to President Donald Trump's inauguration, but the Supreme Court denies him a passport, decision by Alexandre de Moraes.
The ex-president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) continues to face obstacles in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) in his attempt to recover his passport, seized in February 2024. Under the order of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, the document was retained during Operation Tempus Veritatis, which investigates the alleged attempted coup d'état.
Since then, three requests from the former president's defense for the release of his passport have been denied, and a new appeal, filed this Friday (10), is still awaiting a final decision.
New request for travel to the USA
The latest request from Bolsonaro's defense aims to authorize his trip to the United States between January 17 and 22, with the aim of participating in the inauguration of the president-elect. Donald Trump, scheduled for the 20th.
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However, Justice Alexandre de Moraes highlighted the need for more evidence before ruling on the case. Moraes asked the defense to present the official invitation to the ceremony, sent by a sender identified as “info@t47inaugural.com” to Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP).
“There is a need for additional evidence, as the request was not properly accompanied by the necessary documents, since the message was sent to Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro's email from an unidentified address and without any time or schedule for the event to be held,” said Moraes.
History of denials at the STF
Since the seizure of the passport in February 2024, the defense of Bolsonaro has already had three refund requests denied:
1.February 2024: The document was initially seized by the Federal Police at the behest of Alexandre de Moraes.
2. March and October 2024: The defense requested that Bolsonaro be allowed to travel to Israel and then reinforced the request with alternative measures to allow international travel. Both requests were denied by the First Chamber of the Supreme Court.
3.October 2024: An appeal was filed, but again rejected by Moraes.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, in a video posted on social media, criticized the STF's demands, questioning what documents would be needed to prove the invitation. "It wasn't an advisor who got this invitation, it was Trump who analyzed it, was advised, held a meeting and decided: 'Invite Jair Messias Bolsonaro'," said Eduardo.
Seizure e investigations
Bolsonaro's passport was withheld in the context of investigations related to a ministerial meeting held in July 2022. According to Moraes, the meeting revealed an “arrangement of coup dynamics”, with participants promoting disinformation about the electoral system and the 2022 elections.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two military officers and direct aides to the former president, in addition to search and seizure warrants against former ministers.
The decision to withhold the passport was based on suspicions that Bolsonaro might try to leave the country to avoid investigations or legal proceedings. Justice Moraes said that the evidence collected indicates the need to maintain the former president's international travel restrictions.
Bolsonaro's next steps to get his passport back
The Attorney General's Office (PGR) is yet to comment on Bolsonaro's most recent request, but only after the defense attaches the official invitation to the process. Fabio Wajngarten, a former lawyer and advisor to Bolsonaro, said that the requested documentation will be provided.
Meanwhile, travel restrictions remain in place, reinforcing the legal siege on the former president. The situation also reflects the clash between Bolsonaro and the Supreme Court, especially with the minister Alexandre de Moraes, a central figure in the unfolding of processes involving the PL leader.
The dispute over the issuance of passports remains a controversial and highly publicized issue.
Moraes' refusal to rule without additional documentation reinforces the STF's cautious stance when faced with requests involving figures with high political impact. It remains to be seen whether the former president's defense will be able to meet the requirements and, consequently, obtain permission to travel to the United States.