The U.S. government is discussing new sanctions against Alexandre de Moraes, a minister of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court, according to reports [1].
These potential measures signal a deepening diplomatic rift between Washington and the Brazilian judiciary. If implemented, the sanctions could restrict the travel and financial assets of one of Brazil's most powerful legal figures.
The Financial Times reported Sunday, Aug. 16, that the U.S. government discussed imposing these new sanctions [1]. According to the report, the Trump administration is evaluating a return to measures under the Magnitsky Act [2].
The discussions reportedly stem from a recent investigation into the source of a report concerning STF minister Flávio Dino [3]. Moraes authorized search and seizure warrants as part of that investigation, which sources cited by the Financial Times said prompted the U.S. consideration of retaliation [1].
This is not the first time the U.S. has targeted the justice. Reports indicate that Moraes was previously placed on a Magnitsky sanctions list in July 2025 [5].
The Magnitsky Act allows the U.S. to sanction foreign government officials they believe are involved in human rights abuses, or significant corruption [2]. The current deliberation involves whether to resume or expand these specific measures against the Brazilian justice [2].
Representatives for the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court have not issued a formal response to the reports of the U.S. government's internal discussions. The Financial Times said that a decision to move forward with the sanctions could raise tensions between the two nations [2].
“The U.S. government is discussing new sanctions against Alexandre de Moraes”
The use of the Magnitsky Act against a sitting member of a foreign supreme court represents a severe escalation in diplomatic pressure. By targeting a judicial official over the authorization of domestic search warrants, the U.S. is effectively questioning the legitimacy of Brazil's judicial processes. This move aligns with a broader pattern of friction between the Trump administration and the Brazilian STF regarding free speech and judicial overreach.
