USA on Brazil: Trump is not afraid to use power in defense of freedom

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday (9) that US President Donald Trump is not afraid to use military and economic resources to “protect freedom of speech”. When asked about additional actions against Brazil amid a possible conviction of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), the spokesperson stated: “Freedom of speech is undoubtedly the most important issue of our time. It is enshrined in our Constitution, and the president strongly believes in it,” said Leavitt. “The president is not afraid to use the economic and military power of the United States of America to protect freedom of speech around the world,” she added. The spokesperson justified that significant measures have been taken by the US government towards Brazil in the form of sanctions and tariffs “to ensure that countries around the world are not punishing their citizens in this way”. Leavitt stated that, at the moment, there is no plan for additional measures against the Brazilian government. Previously, Trump said that the Brazilian government had gone “too far left”, emphasizing his disappointment with the country. In other occasions, the American leader expressed support for Bolsonaro, claiming that Brazil is attempting a “political execution” with the former president. “I am very good with people, he [Jair Bolsonaro] is an honest man, I think what they did… this is a political execution they are trying to do with Bolsonaro. I think that’s terrible,” Trump told reporters at the White House. The statement comes amid the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and seven other defendants for attempted coup.