Brazil launches probe after report of Trump funds for anti-court campaign
Brazilian authorities opened an investigation after a Guardian report said the Trump administration directed funding toward a campaign against the Brazilian supreme court.
What happened
The Guardian reported that the Trump administration was pushing to direct funds to a campaign against Brazil's supreme court (STF), allocating around US$1 million for related projects.12
Brazil's Attorney General's Office (AGU) activated the Federal Police and the Attorney General's Office of the Republic (PGR) to investigate the alleged financing and possible interference in Brazilian elections.2
Attorney General Jorge Messias said the report was 'an important alert for Brazilian sovereignty' and that foreign meddling in the country's institutions and democracy 'cannot be tolerated'.1
Al Jazeera reported that the Brazilian government called for a probe into US funding of what it described as far-right causes, with the report emerging ahead of Brazil's presidential election.3
Key points
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported a response from the Trump administration or the US government to the allegations.
- None of the outlets reviewed detailed which specific groups or projects received the alleged funding, beyond general references to actions against the supreme court or far-right causes.
Why it matters
The report and subsequent investigation come as Brazil prepares for a presidential election, a period in which Messias said the country had already experienced episodes of external pressure.1
What to watch
- Outcome of the Federal Police and Attorney General's Office investigation into the alleged funding.
- Any response from the Trump administration or US officials to the allegations.
Sources (3)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
Latin America
- 2Agência BrasilBRPublic broadcaster
AGU activates Federal Police to investigate alleged Trump funding for actions against STF
Translated from Portuguese: AGU aciona PF para apurar suposto repasse de Trump a ações contra STF
Europe
Middle East & Turkey
- 3Al Jazeera EnglishQAState-controlled
Brazilian government calls for probe into US funding of far-right causes