• Brazil's Supreme Court orders house arrest for former President Jair Bolsonaro amid coup plot trial.
• Justice Alexandre de Moraes cites violations of social media restrictions as grounds for arrest.
• The United States has condemned the arrest order, linking it to increased tariffs on Brazilian goods.
• Federal police confiscated mobile phones from Bolsonaro's home as part of the legal measures.
• Bolsonaro's legal team is appealing the house arrest order, claiming no wrongdoing.

The Supreme Court of Brazil has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to be placed under house arrest, as he faces serious allegations related to an attempted coup to overturn the 2022 election results. Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated that Bolsonaro, who maintains strong ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump, violated court-imposed precautionary measures by engaging in activities that encouraged public demonstrations against the judiciary. The court's decision was influenced by Bolsonaro addressing supporters via his son's social media during a rally in Rio de Janeiro, a breach of the restrictions placed on him, according to multiple sources, including SCMP, AA, and The Hill.

Bolsonaro's legal situation is complicated by recent political tensions with the United States, where President Trump has condemned the judicial actions against Bolsonaro as a politically motivated "witch hunt." In response, Trump has threatened significant 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports, further escalating the situation as highlighted by HuffPost, Dawn, and Reuters. The Trump administration has publicly supported Bolsonaro’s plea for freedom of expression during the legal proceedings.

Justice de Moraes’ ruling extended beyond house arrest; it includes restrictions on communication and the confiscation of mobile devices to prevent further violations of the imposed measures. Bolsonaro's participation in public demonstrations via social media is seen by the court as an attempt to undermine judicial authority and incite his supporters, according to reports from Reuters and TRT Global.

The legal team representing Bolsonaro is currently preparing to appeal the house arrest decision, claiming that he has not violated any court orders and expressing a desire for a full review by the Supreme Court justices. Reports from both Jakarta Post and Reuters indicate that Bolsonaro is under significant legal scrutiny relating to his conduct during and after the election cycle, and he faces potentially severe consequences if convicted.

As public demonstrations continue, Bolsonaro remains a polarizing figure in Brazilian politics, with widespread implications for the country’s political landscape. Analysts suggest that the outcome of this trial could greatly influence future elections and the political climate, as noted by legal experts and political analysts cited in Reuters, The Hill, and HuffPost.