President Temer’s indictment puts his “second term” in jeopardy

With the presidential race nearing its end, the political world in Brazil seems to be going back to normal, with President Michel Temer facing yet another corruption indictment. Brazil’s Federal Police have found evidence to sustain that Mr. Temer specially crafted a presidential decree to benefit a company operating in the port of Santos, Brazil’s busiest, in exchange for kickbacks. The federal law enforcement body has requested the head of state be indicted for active and passive corruption, money laundering, and criminal association.

Ten other people involved in the scheme face similar charges, including one of the president’s daughters and one of his closest allies. According to the marshals, the bribes were paid “in cash, through illegal campaign donations, through the payment of personal expenses, and through fake contracts with shell companies” in the name of people close to Mr. Temer.

For now, the move by the Feds bares little practical consequence for the president. He will only be prosecuted if the Attorney General decides to press charges, the Supreme Court allows the case to move forward, and two-thirds of the House also approves....