BRASILIA/SAO PAULO, March 18 (Reuters) - Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, announced on Tuesday that he will temporarily step down from his position as a congressman to relocate to the United States. His aim is to garner international support for his father and their political faction.
In a 10-minute video posted on his YouTube channel, Eduardo expressed his intention to take a break from his congressional duties to concentrate on rallying international backing to combat what he characterized as persecution against the Bolsonaro family, their associates, and followers.
Eduardo, one of Jair Bolsonaro's five children, has been representing the family overseas, attending events such as U.S. gun shows and conservative political conferences.
In the video, the congressman mentioned that he has been in the United States since late February for pre-planned travel, though he did not disclose his exact whereabouts. He later informed CNN Brasil that he intends to apply for political asylum.
Following the court order in February 2024 that prevented his father from seeking office until 2030 and confiscated his passport, Congressman Bolsonaro has escalated his international efforts.
In the video, he expressed his desire to hold accountable officials involved in actions against his family, including Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who leads investigations into his father. Additionally, he aims to garner support for pardons for individuals involved in the unrest that transpired on January 8, shortly after President Lula's 2023 inauguration.
Judge Moraes is overseeing investigations related to a 2022 coup attempt allegedly involving Jair Bolsonaro, as well as inquiries into misinformation and hate speech on social media by far-right influencers.
Judge Moraes was recently criticized by former U.S. President Donald Trump's Trump Media & Technology Group and the video-sharing platform Rumble for a ruling that sought to remove accounts accused of spreading misinformation. Previously, the judge ordered the temporary shutdown of Elon Musk's X company in Brazil after it failed to comply with his decisions.
"I know now he (Trump) will continue to welcome my son," Jair Bolsonaro stated to reporters in Brasilia.