This court order reasserts that any attempt to blackmail Brazil and its institutions are doomed to fail. Bolsonaro is being arrested gradually, likely to avoid a major shock, even as he continues to repeat his unlawful conduct and incites foreign leaders to put pressure on Brazilian authorities, in a clear breach of the country's sovereignty.

The house arrest follows Bolsonaro's clear violations of court orders designed to prevent obstruction of justice during his coup trial. Justice Moraes appropriately enforced restrictions after Bolsonaro used Sunday rallies to circumvent social media bans and continue attempts to coerce the Supreme Court. The law applies equally to all defendants regardless of political status.

The house arrest represents another escalation by the most powerful Supreme Court justice in Brazil and the country's de facto dictator in a bid to use Brazilian institutions to silence political dissent. Also, his behavior also suggests a self-destructive intent to provoke the Trump administration after being sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act.