A U.S. federal court in Florida authorized Rumble and Trump Media & Technology Group to serve a legal citation to Justice Alexandre de Moraes via email [1].
The ruling allows a lawsuit against the Brazilian Supreme Court justice to proceed by bypassing traditional international service of process. This move removes a significant procedural hurdle for the tech companies seeking to hold the justice accountable in a U.S. jurisdiction.
The Federal Court of the Southern District of Florida issued the order on Friday, June 22 [1]. The decision effectively unlocks the litigation process for Rumble and Trump Media & Technology Group, who had previously faced challenges in notifying the justice of the legal action [2].
Justice de Moraes serves on Brazil's Supreme Court, known as the STF. The authorization to use email for service of process is a critical step in the American legal system to ensure a defendant is notified of a case when traditional methods are deemed impractical or ineffective [1].
Legal representatives for the companies said that the justice has been notified of the action [2]. The court's decision to allow electronic notification marks a pivot in how the U.S. judiciary handles service of process for high-ranking foreign officials involved in disputes with American corporations [1].
“A Florida federal court authorized Rumble and Trump Media to serve a lawsuit by e‑mail to Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.”
This ruling signals a willingness by U.S. courts to utilize non-traditional methods of notification to facilitate litigation against foreign officials. By permitting email service, the court is prioritizing the progression of the case over strict adherence to diplomatic channels, potentially setting a precedent for other tech companies challenging international judicial orders in U.S. courts.
