Facing congressional probe, Bolsonaro threatens Supreme Court

One day after the creation of a hearings committee to investigate the government’s pandemic response, President Jair Bolsonaro told supporters Brazil is “on the cusp of having a serious problem.”

He lashed out at the Supreme Court, which last week ordered the Senate to kick off proceedings to open the hearings committee. “Friends at the Supreme Court, we’ll soon have an enormous crisis around here,” said Mr. Bolsonaro. 

It is important to note that the president threatened to launch a self-coup back in May of last year, intending to close the Supreme Court and replace its 11 justices. “In moments of anger, when the Supreme Court interferes with the Executive, it is clear that [Mr. Bolsonaro’s] desire is to shut down the court,” one source told The Brazilian Report at the time.

“I’ll do whatever the people want me to do,” said the president.

Two Supreme Court justices told The Brazilian Report that while Mr. Bolsonaro’s remarks are “unacceptable,” they do not fear any serious action at this point. “Every time he sees himself cornered, he raises his voice and hints toward a coup. But nothing of the sort is happening,” said one justice, who wished to remain anonymous.

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