It will take more than accusations to bring down Bolsonaro

Politicians and pundits in Brasilia are on high alert this week, as a series of key political figures provide testimony in the Supreme Court investigation into President Jair Bolsonaro. Accused of attempted to meddle in the Federal Police, Mr. Bolsonaro allegedly tried to appoint a friendly face to the head of the corporation, someone from whom he could obtain information about confidential police probes. According to lawyer José Eduardo Cardozo, the accusations alone — made by ex-Justice Minister Sergio Moro upon his resignation — prove nothing, but in the context, they demonstrate a “degenerate and illegal” attempt at political interference in the Federal Police, on behalf of President Bolsonaro. Mr. Cardozo served as Justice Minister himself, during ex-President Dilma Rousseff’s first term, before becoming Solicitor General. He defended Ms. Rousseff during the impeachment trial that removed her from office in 2016.

Mr. Cardozo spoke with The Brazilian Report for an exclusive interview this week.

Sergio Moro accused President Bolsonaro of meddling in the appointment of the Federal Chief of Police. Could this be construed as political interference?

Sergio Moro’s accusation in itself does not reveal any evidence, as it is just his word. What proves this attempt at political interference is that President Jair Bolsonaro ended up confirming Mr. Moro’s statements during a subsequent press conference. Mr. Bolsonaro makes it clear that he wanted the Federal Police to conduct investigations that he directed. The president himself says he had to get down on his knees and beg investigators to shield his son. 

The president also questions alleged differences in the investigations over the stabbing attack that he suffered in 2018 and the assassination of city councilor Marielle Franco. This information, the messages sent to Mr. Moro by Mr. Bolsonaro and congresswoman Carla Zambelli, and the proximity between police detective Alexandre Ramagem and the Bolsonaro family show that the president intended to carry out a degenerate and illegal political interference in the Federal Police.

The...