Brazil’s Federal Police have concluded an investigation into the actions of former President Jair Bolsonaro and his son, congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, in a new attempt to obstruct justice and coerce Supreme Court ministers. Both were indicted for coercion in the course of proceedings and attempted violent abolition of the democratic rule of law.
The case is based on deleted messages later recovered by investigators, which expose a network of strategies to influence the Supreme Court’s handling of the coup attempt. Evangelical pastor Silas Malafaia is also cited as a key operator, though not formally charged. Police searched his home on Wednesday (21), seized his phone, and prohibited him from leaving Brazil or contacting other suspects.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who leads the case at the Supreme Court, listed several episodes: repeated violations of court orders, attempts to mobilize international support through lawyers linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump, bitter infighting among allies, and even a draft asylum request addressed to Argentina’s President Javier Milei.
BdF breaks down the key excerpts and elements of the court decision that exposes the backstage strategy to pressure Brazil’s Judiciary.
Malafaia as political operator: coordinating online attacks on the STF
According to the PF, Silas Malafaia played a central role in digital mobilization aimed at attacking STF ministers. Messages extracted from Bolsonaro’s phone show the pastor directly encouraging the former president to post videos and messages attacking the Court – even after judicial orders prohibited Bolsonaro from using social media.
The messages include explicit directives on publishing times and impactful slogans. In one, Malafaia prompts: “If you see yourself as part of this video, share it. We cannot remain silent!”
In the early hours of this Thursday (21), the pastor published a video on his social media attacking Justice Moraes and accusing him of religious persecution. Malafaia complained that his phone, three notebooks “with biblical messages,” and his passport had been seized.
“If I talk about the inquiry, I’m arrested. But Alexandre Moraes’s Gestapo leaks everything,” the pastor said.
Videos, broadcast lists and continued political activity
Despite being banned from using social media, Bolsonaro created WhatsApp broadcast lists labeled “Deputados,” “Senadores,” “Outros,” and “Outros 2” to circulate political videos and messages that mobilized supporters and lawmakers.
For instance, on August 3, Bolsonaro shared at least 363 messages related to a pro-Bolsonaro rally in Salvador (Bahia). Federal Police concluded the strategy aimed to bypass Supreme Court restrictions.
Wives’ accounts and messages as workaround tools
To dodge legal restrictions by Moraes, Bolsonaro relied on intermediaries to publish content. One example included sending messages to a contact named “Negona do Bolsonaro,” who quickly reposted the content on social media.
Investigators also tracked activity from cellphones and accounts linked to the wives and relatives of those under investigation – a tactic seen as reinforcing the use of third parties to continue political messaging and mobilization.
Milei asylum request
One of the most serious documents revealed was a draft 33-page letter, saved on Bolsonaro’s phone, addressed to Argentina’s President Javier Milei. The letter contains a political asylum request, citing persecution in Brazil.
The file was saved just two days after “Operation Tempus Veritatis,” which investigated the failed coup plot. Investigators said it confirmed the “risk of flight” and Bolsonaro’s attempts to evade prosecution.
Unauthorized contact with Braga Netto
Bolsonaro also breached a ban on contacting other suspects. Two days after the operation launched, he received an SMS from former Defense Minister Walter Braga Netto, who offered a prepaid number “only for emergencies”:
“I’m using this prepaid number for any emergency. No WhatsApp. FaceTime only. Regards, Braga Netto.”
For investigators, the message proves deliberate efforts to circumvent judicial restrictions.
International lobbying with Trump-linked lawyer
Police also found exchanges with Martin De Luca, a U.S. lawyer linked to Trump Media and the video platform Rumble. De Luca shared drafts of a lawsuit he was preparing against Moraes in U.S. courts – before the filing was even official.
The PF describes this as a calculated attempt to pressure Brazil’s Judiciary through international channels, marking a “diversion with respect to the real intention of the claims made by the lawyer.” Bolsonaro’s phone contained contact information linked to a New York number. Investigators found that De Luca provided the full lawsuit before formal U.S. submission.
In audio messages, Bolsonaro asked for help drafting a public release praising Trump and presenting his legal battles as political persecution, intended to align messaging across borders.
Using spouses’ bank accounts to shield money
The investigation uncovered signs that Jair and Eduardo Bolsonaro used their wives’ bank accounts – Michelle and Heloísa – to move or hide assets.
Investigators say it was done to avoid judicial freezing or financial tracing, reinforcing the use of third parties to circumvent court-imposed sanctions and keep funds flowing.
Eduardo’s role in spreading attacks on the STF
Eduardo, now abroad, took an active role in pressuring and defaming the STF. According to the Police, he posted multiple messages attacking Justice Moraes and criticizing the progress of investigations.
Since March, Eduardo’s posts were often reposted by Martin De Luca on social media, indicating coordination to bolster a narrative of persecution and to delegitimize Brazilian institutions.
In private messages to his father, Eduardo said, “Magnitsky on Moraes was very, very close.” Shortly thereafter, the U.S. imposed Magnitsky sanctions on the justice.
He also advised his father to publicly praise Trump’s 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, suggesting it would help their cause: “You won’t have time to reverse it if the guy on here turns his back on you,” he wrote.
Amnesty for one: messages reveal push for partial pardon just for Bolsonaro
Messages also reveal efforts to pass a partial amnesty that would benefit only Bolsonaro, excluding others accused in the coup attempt. This was claimed as a solution for pacifying the country.
Investigators sees this as another sign of institutional deviation, aiming to skew judicial outcomes in favor of one individual.
Eduardo referred to this as a “light amnesty” and warned that without it, “you wouldn’t have U.S. support anymore,” implying a personalized political escape.
Swearing and insults: desperation in the Bolsonaro clan
Beyond formal plans, recovered messages reveal bitter disputes and personal attacks within Bolsonaro’s inner circle. In one of the most explosive exchanges, Eduardo insulted his father after feeling betrayed by his public statements.
His messages included:
“I was going to drop the Tarcísio issue, but thanks to the praise you gave me on Poder360, I’m seriously thinking about smacking him so you learn.”
“F* YOU, UNGRATEFUL MOTHERF**!” he later wrote, echoing his father’s references to him as “immature.”
In another heated message:
“If your 40‑year‑old immature son can’t meet with the guys here, BECAUSE YOU THROW ME UNDER THE BUS, YOU’RE THE ONE WHO’LL GET SCREWED AND RUIN THE REST OF MY LIFE IN THIS SH**!”
Malafaia also fired shots, calling Eduardo “babaca” (idiot), “inexperienced,” and “a monumental fool.” On July 11 at 6:55 p.m., he sent:
“SORRY PRESIDENT! This son of yours, Eduardo, is an idiot, inexperienced, he’s giving Lula and the left the nationalist talk while screwing you at the same time. A monumental idiot. I’M OUTRAGED!”
He added that he refrained from public criticism out of respect for Bolsonaro. Later, he recounted giving Eduardo “a bollocking” when he “talked bullshit.”
Eduardo responded to the indictment, calling the messages “normal conversations between father, son and their allies.” He also addressFederal Police report shows Bolsonaro family tried to obstruct justice, pressure Supreme Court, and plan escape.ed the pastor:
“ Pastor Silas Malafaia, we’re together. You’re suffering the final acts of this regime.”
