U.S. sanctions Brazilian judge overseeing Bolsonaro case, alleging "rights abuse"

Driving the news: The Treasury Department said it would impose the sanctions against Alexandre de Moraes, the judge who oversaw the prosecution of Bolsonaro and briefly banned Elon Musk's X in the country.

What they're saying: "Alexandre de Moraes has taken it upon himself to be judge and jury in an unlawful witch hunt against U.S. and Brazilian citizens and companies," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

• "De Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions—including against former President Jair Bolsonaro."

How it works: The sanctions order blocks any assets de Moraes has in the U.S. and prohibits U.S. citizens from transactions with him.

• The department said he was being targeted under executive orders covering anyone "who is responsible for or complicit in, or has directly or indirectly engaged in, serious human rights abuse."

Editor's note: This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.