One of the challenges of being a public official is that your actions are subject to criticism. It comes with the turf and you have to expect it. Apparently no one told this to Justice Moraes of Brazil’s Supreme Court, who today placed former President Bolsonaro under house arrest and deprived him of access to a cell phone. His alleged crime? Apparently criticizing Justice Moraes, which the Justice now conveniently characterizes as an “obstruction of justice.” The Justice’s unchecked Orwellian impulses are dragging his Court and his country into the uncharted territory of a judicial dictatorship.

Justice Moraes, now a U.S.-sanctioned human rights abuser, continues to use Brazil’s institutions to silence opposition and threaten democracy. Putting even more restrictions on Jair Bolsonaro’s ability to defend himself in public is not a public service. Let Bolsonaro speak!

The United States condemns Moraes’ order imposing house arrest on Bolsonaro and will hold accountable all those aiding and abetting sanctioned conduct.