Brazil’s President Temer dodges indictment, but loses political power

It was close to 9 pm when Congressman Celso Jacob approached the podium in the middle of the Brazilian House’s semi-circle. He then voted to shelve the indictment request against Brazil’s President Michel Temer, who is accused by the Federal Prosecution Office of running a corruption ring and tampering with a federal investigation.

It was the final step to secure Temer’s office. Jacob was the 171st congressman to vote in favor of Temer, in a streak that began with veteran Congressman Paulo Maluf.

The irony in Maluf and Jacob bookending Temer’s congressional win against the judicial system shouldn’t be lost. Maluf used to be on Interpol’s...