On September 2, 2025, Brazil entered uncharted territory as its Supreme Court began the verdict and sentencing phase in the historic trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The proceedings, which are scheduled to run through September 12, have gripped the nation and drawn the eyes of the world, with the stakes nothing short of Brazil’s democratic future. Bolsonaro, who led Latin America’s largest country from 2019 to 2022, stands accused of masterminding a sweeping plot to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election, which he lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The charges against him are grave: attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal organization, attempting to violently abolish the democratic rule of law, and destruction of state property. If convicted on all counts, Bolsonaro could face more than 40 years in prison.
The trial is unprecedented in Brazil’s modern democracy. As reported by AP, Bolsonaro is the first former president to face such charges, marking a sharp break with a national history that, until now, has often seen impunity for those accused of subverting democracy. During the opening session, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presides over the case and was himself a target of the alleged plot, declared, "History teaches us that impunity, omission, and cowardice are not options for peace." He emphasized the Supreme Court’s duty to judge impartially, "regardless of threats or legal action, ignoring internal or external pressure."
The trial is not just about Bolsonaro. Seven of his closest allies, including former defense ministers Walter Braga Netto and Paulo Sérgio Nogueira, are also in the dock, accused of forming the "nerve center" of a criminal organization bent on dismantling Brazil’s democratic order. The prosecution alleges that the conspiracy was multifaceted, involving a plan to pressure the military to intervene, create a parallel crisis management office, and even discussions about assassinating President Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Justice de Moraes. Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet did not mince words, stating, "The acts that make up the shocking and grim picture outlined in the indictment are criminally relevant attacks against democratic institutions." He warned, "Failing to criminally repress attempts of this nature, as shown by accounts both here and abroad, strengthens authoritarian impulses. This, therefore, fuels fundamentalism and puts a civilized way of life at risk."
Evidence presented by prosecutors is extensive. According to NPR, it includes handwritten notes, digital files, message exchanges, spreadsheets, and, most damningly, testimony from Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s former aide who entered a plea bargain. Cid told investigators that Bolsonaro personally edited a draft decree—referred to as the "coup draft"—which outlined plans to arrest key political figures, including De Moraes, and call for new elections. The prosecution also highlighted the January 8, 2023, riot, when Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed and ransacked government buildings in Brasília, as a pivotal moment in the alleged coup attempt. Federal police maintain that Bolsonaro had "full knowledge" of the plan to overturn the election and orchestrated efforts to spread disinformation about Brazil’s voting system.
Bolsonaro, now 70 and under house arrest, was not present at the court on September 2 due to ill health, according to his lawyer Celso Vilardi. On the eve of the trial, his sons Carlos and Jair Renan held a vigil with supporters outside his residence. His son Eduardo, embroiled in related investigations, has relocated to the United States and actively lobbied for international support. In an interview with NPR, Eduardo Bolsonaro insisted, "The only way that we have to win this war against political persecution, censorship is with the help of the Trump administration." He and his father have long cultivated ties with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement, a connection that has now spilled dramatically into the diplomatic arena.
The trial has ignited a full-blown diplomatic clash with the United States. In July 2025, President Donald Trump sent a letter to President Lula, denouncing Bolsonaro’s prosecution as a "witch hunt" and threatening economic retaliation unless the trial was halted. Trump followed through, imposing 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports—one of the highest rates ever levied—and sanctioning Justice De Moraes and other Supreme Court justices. The U.S. also revoked visas for the justices and their families, with the White House accusing Brazil’s Supreme Court of "politically motivated persecution" and "serious human rights abuses." President Lula, for his part, fiercely rejected the U.S. actions, calling them "unacceptable interference" and reaffirming Brazil’s commitment to judicial independence.
The trial has further polarized Brazil’s already divided society. Supporters of Bolsonaro see the proceedings as politically motivated persecution, pointing to the Supreme Court’s expanded powers and the plea deal with Mauro Cid as evidence of bias. Bolsonaro himself has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he did not orchestrate a coup, did not author the "coup draft," and was not even in Brazil when the January 8 riot occurred. His lawyers argue that Justice De Moraes is biased and that the federal police have acted unfairly. As BBC and NPR report, Bolsonaro maintains that any discussions about remaining in office were strictly about legal and constitutional means, not about enlisting the military or resorting to violence.
Yet, for many Brazilians and international observers, the trial represents a crucial test of whether the country’s institutions can hold even the most powerful accountable. Experts like Lucas Figueiredo, author and historian, have called the proceedings "historic," noting that Brazil’s previous military dictatorship (1964-1985) ended with a sweeping amnesty and no prosecutions for human rights abuses. "History will tell whether it is 100% successful, but what we are seeing today is a movement that breaks with a tradition of military coups," Figueiredo observed.
Security around Bolsonaro’s residence has been tightened, with vehicle inspections and in-person surveillance ordered by the Supreme Court. Federal authorities remain alert for potential unrest, especially as the trial overlaps with Brazil’s Independence Day on September 7—a date Bolsonaro’s movement has often used to rally supporters. With the world watching, the verdict and potential sentencing will not just determine Bolsonaro’s fate, but may also set a precedent for accountability in Brazil’s democracy.
Whatever the outcome, Brazil is at a crossroads. The trial has already exposed deep rifts, tested the resilience of its institutions, and sent shockwaves through both national and international politics. As the proceedings continue, Brazilians and the world await a decision that could define the nation’s democratic trajectory for years to come.