**Paulo Figueiredo to Testify Before U.S. Congress on Alexandre de Moraes’ Alleged Transnational Repression**
In a significant development for advocates of free speech and conservative values, Brazilian journalist Paulo Figueiredo has been summoned to testify before the U.S. Congress at the prestigious Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. The hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, 2025, will focus on what Figueiredo and other critics describe as the transnational repression orchestrated by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. This testimony marks a pivotal moment in exposing what many conservatives view as Moraes’ overreach in silencing dissent, both in Brazil and beyond its borders.
Figueiredo, a prominent conservative voice and outspoken critic of Moraes, announced his congressional appearance on X, emphasizing the honor of addressing the commission on the issue of “systematic persecution” by the Brazilian justice. The invitation comes amid escalating tensions between Moraes and international defenders of free expression, including figures like Elon Musk and allies of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Conservatives argue that Moraes has weaponized his judicial authority to suppress political opponents, curb free speech, and undermine democratic principles under the guise of combating “disinformation.”
Moraes’ Controversial Actions Under Scrutiny
Alexandre de Moraes, a polarizing figure in Brazil, has drawn fierce criticism from the right for his aggressive tactics in policing online speech. As a Supreme Court justice and former head of Brazil’s electoral court, Moraes has spearheaded investigations into alleged threats to democracy, particularly targeting supporters of Bolsonaro. His actions include ordering social media platforms to remove content, suspending accounts of prominent conservative influencers, and even temporarily shutting down platforms like X in Brazil. In one high-profile case, Moraes ordered the suspension of Rumble, a video-sharing platform favored by conservatives, for non-compliance with his directives to block accounts, including that of Bolsonaro ally Allan dos Santos.
Conservatives view these moves as a blatant abuse of power, accusing Moraes of acting as a judicial dictator who selectively targets right-wing voices. His orders have extended beyond Brazil’s borders, raising alarms in the U.S. when he demanded that American tech companies censor content or face penalties. Notably, Moraes’ actions prompted lawsuits from Trump Media & Technology Group and Rumble, which accused him of violating U.S. free speech protections by attempting to silence a Brazilian commentator seeking asylum in the United States.
The controversy has also caught the attention of the Trump administration. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signaled potential sanctions against Moraes, including visa restrictions and possible inclusion on the Global Magnitsky Act list, for what Rubio and others describe as censorship of American citizens online. Senator Mike Lee and Congressman Rich McCormick have echoed these calls, warning that Moraes’ actions threaten not only Brazilian democracy but also international free speech norms.
Figueiredo’s Role and the Conservative Perspective
Paulo Figueiredo’s testimony is expected to shine a spotlight on Moraes’ extraterritorial overreach, particularly his alleged persecution of Brazilian conservatives living abroad. Figueiredo, who has faced personal scrutiny from Brazilian authorities, is likely to detail how Moraes’ investigations—such as the “Fake News Inquiry”—have been used to intimidate and silence critics. Conservatives argue that these probes, often initiated without clear evidence, lack transparency and serve to consolidate power in the hands of a left-leaning judiciary aligned with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
From a conservative perspective, Moraes represents a dangerous precedent: a judge who wields unchecked authority to suppress dissent while cloaking his actions in the rhetoric of defending democracy. Critics point to his role in Bolsonaro’s indictment for an alleged coup plot, as well as the jailing of individuals without trial for social media posts, as evidence of a broader campaign to rig Brazil’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 elections. Eduardo Bolsonaro, Jair’s son and a federal lawmaker, has been a vocal opponent of Moraes, even relocating to the U.S. to lobby for sanctions against the justice.
Figueiredo’s appearance before Congress is seen as a strategic move to internationalize the fight against Moraes. By bringing the issue to Washington, conservatives hope to pressure the Brazilian government and judiciary to curb what they see as authoritarian tactics. The testimony could also bolster calls for stronger U.S. action, such as economic sanctions or diplomatic measures, to hold Moraes accountable.
A Broader Fight for Free Speech
The hearing underscores a growing global divide over the regulation of online speech. While Moraes and his supporters argue that his actions are necessary to combat disinformation and protect Brazil’s democratic institutions, conservatives counter that such measures are a thinly veiled excuse for censorship. They point to Moraes’ clashes with Elon Musk, who accused the justice of being an “unelected autocrat,” as evidence of a broader ideological battle between those who prioritize free expression and those who seek to control narratives.
For American conservatives, Figueiredo’s testimony resonates as a warning of what could happen if judicial overreach and censorship go unchecked. The involvement of the Trump administration, coupled with Rubio’s hardline stance, signals that the U.S. is prepared to take a stand against foreign officials who threaten American values, particularly the First Amendment. The fact that Moraes’ orders have impacted U.S.-based platforms like Rumble and Truth Social only heightens the stakes.
What’s Next?
As Paulo Figueiredo prepares to address the Tom Lantos Commission, the conservative movement in Brazil and the U.S. is watching closely. His testimony could galvanize further action against Moraes, potentially escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Brasília. Brazilian President Lula has already vowed to defend the Supreme Court, comparing Eduardo Bolsonaro’s lobbying efforts to “terrorist practices,” a statement that conservatives dismiss as hyperbolic deflection.
For now, Figueiredo’s appearance marks a bold step in challenging what conservatives see as Moraes’ reign of judicial tyranny. Whether it leads to concrete policy changes or simply amplifies the global debate on free speech, the hearing is poised to be a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle between liberty and control.
Sources
– Posts on X by @pfigueiredo08, @NewsLiberdade, and @viniciuscfp82[](https://x.com/pfigueiredo08/status/1936970387515904030)[](https://x.com/NewsLiberdade/status/1936960250877243528)[](https://x.com/viniciuscfp82/status/1936955127216087117)
– The New York Times, “Trump Administration Targets Brazilian Judge for ‘Censorship’”[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/world/americas/trump-brazil-judge-censorship.html)
– Reuters, “Lula vows to defend Brazil’s Supreme Court as US threatens judge”[](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/lula-vows-defend-brazils-supreme-court-us-threatens-judge-2025-06-03/)
– Brazil Reports, “U.S. considers sanctioning Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes”[](https://brazilreports.com/u-s-considers-sanctioning-brazils-supreme-court-justice-alexandre-de-moraes/7025/)
