Brazil’s federal police conducted a search of former President Jair Bolsonaro’s home in Rio de Janeiro on Friday as part of a probe into irregularities in firearms registration, yet discovered no weapons or incriminating material. The operation was carried out after the Supreme Court ordered an examination, noting a mismatch between the number of guns officially registered to Bolsonaro’s name and those actually surrendered to authorities.

Background and Legal Context

Bolsonaro, convicted of attempting a coup after his 2022 electoral defeat to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is serving a 27‑year prison term but remains under house arrest in Brasília due to health concerns. The case attracted worldwide attention when former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled the investigation a “witch hunt” and linked it to tariffs imposed on Brazilian imports.

Supreme Court Order and the Search

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes signed the warrant on Tuesday, highlighting the discrepancy in the count of firearms registered in Bolsonaro’s name. Following the order, federal agents swept the former president’s residence. Bolsonaro’s lawyer, João Henrique Nascimento de Freitas, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had just left the house after “another search and seizure by the federal police—nothing was found.” An anonymous police official corroborated that no items were seized.

Political and International Ramifications

Last month, police seized a firearm that had been found with a military officer at a checkpoint, prompting the court to reaffirm Bolsonaro’s house‑arrest status. Additionally, Bolsonaro’s son Eduardo was convicted earlier this year for illicit lobbying of the U.S. government, a case that raised concerns about foreign influence. While many of Trump’s tariffs were later lifted, the administration has recently threatened new duties, citing what it calls unfair commercial practices despite a sizable U.S. trade surplus with Brazil.

This latest raid underscores the ongoing judicial scrutiny of Bolsonaro’s firearms holdings and keeps his legal battles in the public eye. As the investigation deepens, it may reshape Brazil’s political dynamics, affect the Bolsonaro family’s international connections, and influence bilateral trade relations with the United States.