Brazil’s Ethics Council Shelters Eduardo Bolsonaro Amid Controversy Over US Lobbying
Brazilian lawmakers block efforts to hold Eduardo Bolsonaro accountable for lobbying in the US against Brazil’s sovereignty, revealing disturbing leniency toward national disloyalty.
In a striking display of political protectionism, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies Ethics Council has dismissed a demand to remove Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, despite his active campaign in the United States advocating sanctions against his own homeland. This decision raises urgent questions about the integrity of Brazil’s institutions and their willingness to overlook actions that undermine national sovereignty.
Is Parliamentary Immunity Becoming a Shield for National Disloyalty?
The Ethics Council vote saw right-leaning and center-right deputies rallying behind Eduardo Bolsonaro, citing parliamentary immunity and freedom of expression as justifications for dismissing accusations tied directly to his lobbying abroad. However, this protective stance comes at a high cost. How can any nation thrive when legislators openly work against its interests on foreign soil? This is not mere political discourse; it edges dangerously close to betrayal.
The left-wing Workers’ Party (PT), led by current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, condemned the council’s ruling and vowed to challenge the decision before the lower house’s leadership. PT Deputy Lindbergh Farias called the outcome a “shame,” accusing Eduardo Bolsonaro of conspiring from abroad and committing acts tantamount to treason. While partisan divides play into this clash, the core issue transcends politics—it strikes at the heart of national loyalty and accountability.
Washington’s Role and Implications for America First Interests
Eduardo Bolsonaro’s presence in the United States since March—ostensibly to lobby then-President Donald Trump’s administration against judicial proceedings targeting his father—has had significant repercussions beyond Brazilian borders. Trump’s subsequent imposition of punitive tariffs on Brazilian imports disrupted trade relations already strained by global supply chain challenges. Moreover, revoking visas and freezing assets of Brazilian Supreme Court members signals an unprecedented interference fueled by internal political maneuvering.
From an America First perspective, these developments spotlight how international actors exploit internal fractures within allied nations for geopolitical leverage. Supporting figures like Jair Bolsonaro who champion national sovereignty contrasts markedly with tolerating or enabling actions that destabilize partner democracies through covert lobbying campaigns abroad.
Despite all attempts to sway outcomes in Washington, Jair Bolsonaro was recently sentenced to 27 years imprisonment for attempting to cling to power after losing Brazil’s 2022 election—a reminder that no one stands above justice indefinitely. Yet questions linger: Does shielding Eduardo Bolsonaro signal tolerance for undermining democratic norms? Will Brazil safeguard its sovereignty against internal and external threats?
For Americans watching these events unfold, it’s an alarming demonstration that defending freedom requires vigilance at home and abroad—ensuring allies uphold principles rather than succumb to factional self-interest.