Cármen Lúcia’s Vote Seals a Politically Motivated Witch Hunt Against Jair Bolsonaro
By Hotspotnews September 11, 2025
In a development that reeks of judicial overreach and partisan vendetta, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) has taken a dark turn today with Minister Cármen Lúcia’s vote in the ongoing trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. This so-called “judgment on the coup plot” – a narrative pushed by the left-leaning establishment – has now tipped decisively against the leader who dared to challenge the status quo of corruption and socialism in Brazil. With Lúcia’s decisive vote, the panel has formed a majority (3-1 so far, pending the final vote from Minister Cristiano Zanin) to convict Bolsonaro and seven of his closest allies on charges including armed criminal organization, attempted abolition of the democratic state of law, coup d’état, and damage to national heritage. This isn’t justice; it’s a blatant attempt to silence conservative voices ahead of the 2026 elections.
Let’s cut through the media spin: Bolsonaro, the man who restored economic growth, bolstered national security, and fought against the entrenched leftist elite, is being crucified for the alleged orchestration of the January 8, 2023, riots in Brasília. Those events, while chaotic and regrettable, were a spontaneous outpouring of frustration from millions of Brazilians who believed – with good reason – that the 2022 election was marred by irregularities. Bolsonaro himself has repeatedly denied any involvement in planning a “coup,” emphasizing that his criticisms of the electoral process were rooted in legitimate concerns about transparency and fraud prevention, concerns echoed by international observers and even some former STF justices. Yet, the STF’s First Chamber, dominated by Lula-appointed judges like Flávio Dino and Cristiano Zanin, along with the ever-compliant Cármen Lúcia, has chosen to ignore this context and push forward with a conviction that smells of political revenge.
Cármen Lúcia’s vote today was the tipping point, aligning her with Relator Alexandre de Moraes and Dino to form the condemning majority. In her remarks, she described the case as one that “pulses the Brazil that hurts me,” a dramatic flourish that conservatives see as performative outrage rather than impartial analysis. Lúcia dismissed defense arguments about the overwhelming volume of evidence – a staggering 70 terabytes of data – claiming the court had given the case “necessary preference.” But this rings hollow when you consider that Minister Luiz Fux, in his marathon 13-hour dissent yesterday, argued precisely the opposite: the trial should be annulled due to procedural flaws, including insufficient time for the defense to review the mountains of documents and jurisdictional overreach by the STF. Fux’s vote for acquittal on all charges for Bolsonaro and most allies stands as a beacon of reason in this farce, highlighting how the process has been rushed and biased from the start. His dissent opens the door for appeals, including the possibility of “divergência qualificada,” which could elevate the case to the full 11-member STF plenário for a broader review – a step that would ensure more balanced scrutiny and potentially expose the partisan nature of the First Chamber’s decision.
From a conservative standpoint, this conviction is a direct assault on democracy, not its defense. Bolsonaro’s administration brought prosperity: GDP growth averaged over 2% annually, unemployment dropped to historic lows, and policies like the economic liberalization reforms and anti-crime measures strengthened Brazil against leftist insurgencies. His warnings about election integrity weren’t sedition; they were the responsible duty of a leader protecting his nation’s sovereignty. The January 8 events? A reaction to a disputed election where electronic voting machines – unverified by paper trails – raised red flags that the STF itself has historically downplayed. Prosecutors’ claims of a “plot to assassinate” President-elect Lula are unsubstantiated sensationalism, with no concrete evidence linking Bolsonaro directly to violence.
Moreover, the timing is suspect. With sentencing debates slated for Friday and the 2026 elections looming, this ruling effectively bars Bolsonaro from running, fulfilling the left’s dream of neutralizing their biggest threat. It’s no coincidence that this comes under a Lula government that has packed the courts with ideologues. Cármen Lúcia, often portrayed as a moderate, has shown her true colors here, following Moraes’ lead in nearly every major decision since the trial began in 2023. Her vote isn’t just legal; it’s a political statement that conservatives won’t forget.
The backlash is already brewing. On social media, Bolsonaro supporters are decrying the decision as a “new paradigm of the Republic” that breaks the old pact of impunity for past dictatorships while targeting right-wing figures. Fux’s dissent opens the door for appeals, potentially escalating to the full STF or even international scrutiny. Allies like former U.S. President Donald Trump have voiced support for Bolsonaro, warning of similar “deep state” tactics in the West. If Zanin follows the majority, expect street protests and legal challenges that could drag this out, exposing the STF’s fragility.
Conservatives must rally: This isn’t the end for Bolsonaro or the movement he built. It’s a call to arms against judicial activism that prioritizes ideology over evidence. One intriguing possibility emerging from the conservative camp is the push for a plebiscito – a national referendum – to let the Brazilian people decide on key issues like electoral reforms or even a potential amnesty for those involved in the January 8 events. Such a democratic tool, enshrined in the Constitution for matters of national sovereignty, could bypass the biased courts and restore power to the voters who overwhelmingly supported Bolsonaro’s vision. Advocates argue that a plebiscito on election integrity, including the adoption of paper ballots, would validate the concerns that sparked the unrest and prevent future manipulations. While the left dismisses this as populist, it’s a true expression of direct democracy that could heal divisions and affirm the will of the people over elite decrees. Brazil’s true patriots – those who value freedom, family, and faith – will not be silenced by a biased bench. The fight for a free Brazil continues, and history will judge Cármen Lúcia’s vote as the day the left tried to bury democracy, only to awaken its defenders.