If found guilty, Bolsonaro could face up to 12 years in prison for the coup attempt, with additional years possible for other charges. The Supreme Court justices will soon decide whether to convict or acquit him.

Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet said former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro sought to destroy the "democratic order" after his 2022 election defeat to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has denied the charges.

A prosecutor asked Brazil's Supreme Court on Tuesday to find ex-president Jair Bolsonaro guilty of plotting a coup, in closing arguments after a trial that saw US President Donald Trump try to intervene on behalf of his right-wing ally.

Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose 50% tariffs against Brazil to support Jair Bolsonaro has sparked controversy. Critics believe the move could harm rather than help Bolsonaro, rallying support for his opponent Lula amid fears of economic fallout.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro and a federal congressman currently on leave, said São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas was wrong to try to negotiate a solution to the 50% tariffs with the U.S. Embassy.

"I’ll be watching the WITCH HUNT of Jair Bolsonaro, his family, and thousands of his supporters, very closely," Trump stated. "The only Trial that should be happening is a Trial by the Voters of Brazil — It’s called an Election." The one area where Trump and Bolsonaro differ is in their pre-politics past.

The pairing of right-wing brawn and dominion theology have proved potent in Brazil, with results that might look familiar to Americans.