Minister of Union wears cap with ‘Sovereign Brazil’ slogan amid government party’s departure

Sabino was one of the few ministers to wear the accessory at the event podium. The cap was distributed to some participants before the parade. Other ministers chose not to wear the accessory on their heads or just held it in their hands, as was the case, for example, with the Minister of Defense, José Múcio. Sabino’s gesture could be seen as a gesture of goodwill since the minister has been making efforts behind the scenes to try to stay in office longer. Sabino is being pressured by the Union Brazil leadership to leave the ministry after the party brought forward discussions about the government’s departure. Still, party insiders consider Sabino’s departure from the government irreversible and state that if he does not leave the government ‘voluntarily,’ the alternative will be to expel him from the party. The government chose the motto ‘Sovereign Brazil’ for this year’s parade, the same term used in response to the tariff imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who imposed a 50% surcharge on Brazilian products. When justifying the tariff hike on Brazil, Trump mentioned Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and stated that the trial of the former president in the Federal Supreme Court (STF) for attempted coup d’état is ‘an international shame.’ Since July, when Trump announced the tariff hike, Lula, ministers, and lawmakers have focused on defending the country’s sovereignty and criticizing Trump.