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U.S. Says It Sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes Over Alleged Abuses
Summary
A State Department spokesperson described sanctions announced July 31 against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, citing alleged secret orders to social platforms and unjust pretrial detentions.
Lede: The State Department said the United States announced sanctions against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of abusing judicial authority to silence critics and authorize unjust pretrial detentions.
Nut graf: The department said the judge issued secret orders compelling online platforms, including U.S. social media companies, to ban accounts for protected speech and that the actions affected U.S. persons and companies; officials declined to preview additional sanctions.
Body: "Moraes is an activist judge that abused his authority by engaging in a targeted and politically motivated effort designed to silence political critics through the issuance of secret orders compelling online platforms, including US social media companies, banning the accounts of individuals for posting protected speech," State Department spokesperson Tommy said from the podium. He said Moraes also "authorized unjust pretrial detentions and undermine[d] freedom of expression."
Tommy identified July 31 as the date Secretary Rubio announced the sanctions. When asked whether other Brazilian individuals might face similar sanctions or whether broader visa restrictions were expected, Tommy declined to preview further actions from the podium, saying only that the department takes the matter seriously.
Ending: The spokesperson said the department would not provide a preview of additional measures and pointed reporters to the announcement and Treasury actions for further details.
