tellumore.com

Tag: #Trump

  • US Sanctions Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act

    A law against tyrants… applied to a Supreme Court justice?

    The Global Magnitsky Act is a U.S. law created to punish foreign individuals accused of systematic corruption or severe human rights violations. Inspired by the case of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky — who died in 2009 after exposing a major corruption scheme involving Russian officials — the law allows the U.S. government to impose unilateral sanctions on any person abroad involved in actions such as:

    • Arbitrary arrests
    • Torture and political repression
    • Censorship of free speech
    • Embezzlement of public funds or illicit enrichment

    The global version of the act, passed in 2016, turned it into a powerful tool of punitive diplomacy, used against dictators, business leaders, and even members of the judiciary. Sanctions may include:

    • Asset freezes in the U.S. or in any dollar-denominated transactions
    • Entry bans to the United States
    • Prohibition of financial dealings with American companies or individuals
    • Global reputational damage, as many countries and private institutions informally follow the list

    Alexandre de Moraes: The Judge Targeted by the American Empire

    In July 2025, the United States officially added Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes to the Global Magnitsky sanctions list. The order, signed by President Donald Trump, alleges that Moraes was involved in:

    • Unlawful arrests of political opponents
    • Systematic censorship of the press and social media
    • Politically motivated prosecutions, especially targeting former President Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of Trump

    According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Moraes “abused his authority to persecute political opponents and suppress civil liberties in Brazil.” The administration further accused him of acting as both “judge and executioner” in a “campaign of political persecution.”

    This marks the first time a Supreme Court justice from a consolidated democracy has been added to the Magnitsky list — previously applied mostly to figures from authoritarian regimes like Russia, China, Iran, and Venezuela.

    What Do the Sanctions Mean in Practice?

    Although Moraes does not appear to have publicly known assets in the U.S., the law’s enforcement has immediate and serious consequences:

    • Any dollar-linked asset in his name can be frozen by international banks
    • He is banned from entering the U.S. or obtaining any type of U.S. visa
    • American tech companies like Google, Apple, and Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) may face pressure to suspend his personal accounts
    • Brazilian financial institutions dealing in U.S. dollars are reassessing contracts to avoid secondary sanctions — Bradesco, for example, has already called in its compliance team to review the case

    Even without arrest or direct action, the sanctions effectively isolate Moraes from the Western financial and diplomatic system — a form of “international civil death.”

    Why Did Trump Do It?

    According to international analysts, Trump’s motivations are clear:

    • Strengthening political support for Bolsonaro, who was declared ineligible for office by Moraes after coup attempt investigations in 2022
    • Accusing the Brazilian judiciary of bias, echoing Trump’s own narrative about a “deep state” and politicized justice system
    • Sending a message to his voter base by showing strength against ideological opponents — even abroad

    By sanctioning Moraes, Trump also seeks to reshape his international image as a defender of free speech and political dissent — as long as it’s against his rivals.

    How Did Brazil Respond?

    Yes — Brazil responded firmly. The Brazilian government condemned the move as a serious external interference in national sovereignty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying, “No Brazilian authority is above Brazilian law — but neither are they subject to foreign governments.” President Lula expressed full support for the Supreme Court and declared that Brazil would not accept unilateral political sanctions against its judicial members.

    Still, the episode has worsened diplomatic tensions between Brazil and the U.S. — and opened a dangerous precedent: the use of judicial sanctions as a tool of geopolitical pressure between democracies.

    In Summary

    The inclusion of Alexandre de Moraes on the Global Magnitsky sanctions list marks an unprecedented and explosive moment in Brazil–U.S. relations. Whether driven by political or ideological motives, Trump’s move highlights the fragile balance between judicial independence and foreign pressure. For some, Moraes is a democratic defender against extremism. For others, an authoritarian censor disguised as a judge.

    Sources

  • Trump, Clinton, and the Island of Horrors: Who Protected Jeffrey Epstein?

    Have you ever wondered how far the power of a wealthy and well-connected man can reach? Why were figures like Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, and international magnates close to Jeffrey Epstein—even after his first conviction for sex crimes? And what really happened on that isolated island where authorities never entered and boundaries vanished?

    A Millionaire Predator and the Pact of Silence

    Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier influential among the global elite, was accused of running a network that exploited teenage girls, some under the age of 15, for years. Under the pretext of offering money for “massages,” he lured girls in states such as Florida and New York. Despite the severity of the accusations, Epstein escaped full federal charges in 2008 thanks to a controversial plea deal orchestrated by Alexander Acosta—who years later became Trump’s Secretary of Labor.

    The lenient sentence (13 months in jail with work-release privileges) sparked public outrage and raised questions: how could someone so connected avoid real punishment?

    Surrounded by Power: Politicians, Princes, and Billionaires

    Epstein maintained a network of powerful contacts—including former presidents like Bill Clinton, then-businessman Donald Trump, celebrities, and aristocrats like Prince Andrew. Photographs, flight logs, and testimonies indicate many of these figures attended parties at his New York mansion, flew on his private jet—nicknamed the “Lolita Express”—and, in some cases, visited his private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

    Trump, for example, described Epstein in the 1990s as “a fantastic guy” and acknowledged they had known each other for many years. Although he denied involvement with Epstein’s crimes after Epstein’s arrest, records show they attended private events and dinners together with other public figures.

    The Island Where Everything Was Allowed

    Little St. James, the private island Epstein bought in 1998, became a symbol of systemic abuse and impunity. Located in the Caribbean, surrounded by security and electronic surveillance, the island was described by victims as a place where girls were taken by force or deception—often transported by plane or boat. There were no authorities, no rules—only what Epstein and his guests decided.

    On the island’s hill stood a mysterious “temple” with fake windows that raised suspicion. The interior, according to staff, was inaccessible and protected by steel doors. Cameras installed throughout the property led to suspicions Epstein recorded the abuses—allegedly to blackmail powerful guests and ensure his ongoing protection.

    Maxwell, Secret Lists, and the Persisting Mystery

    Ghislaine Maxwell, a British socialite and Epstein’s former partner, was arrested and convicted for her role in the sex trafficking network. She helped recruit and control victims, often using promises of careers or scholarships. During the trial, it was revealed she had handed over a list containing more than 100 names linked to Epstein’s activities. Most of these names remain under judicial seal.

    The case gained renewed momentum in 2024 when unredacted court documents began to be released. In them, Trump’s name was again cited among those connected to the network, reigniting debate about who will truly be held accountable—and who will remain protected.

    A Network That Survives the Scandal

    Despite Epstein’s death in 2019, officially ruled a suicide—although experts noted unusual neck fractures—doubts remain. The system that protected him remains largely intact. None of the island’s most famous visitors have been formally charged to this day.

    Journalist Julie K. Brown of the Miami Herald summarized it well: “This is not just one man’s case. It’s a system’s case. One that bends over backwards to protect the rich, even when it costs the childhoods of so many girls.”

    References