Tensions grow in Brazil with protests in Brasília, São Paulo

Another Sunday, another blatant anti-democratic provocation in defiance of social distancing measures in Brazil. Less than 24 hours after the country topped the mark of 500,000 Covid-19 infections, President Jair Bolsonaro joined protestors once more in the capital Brasília. The crowd — seemingly one of the largest since the beginning of the pandemic — demanded the total reopening of the Brazilian economy, as well as the shutdown of the Supreme Court and Congress. 

Mr. Bolsonaro was joined by his Defense Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva, who recently endorsed threats against the Supreme Court made by the president’s chief security officer, retired Army General Augusto Heleno. Last week, Gen. Heleno stated that the Supreme Court could ignite “unpredictable consequences to national stability” should it try to seize Mr. Bolsonaro’s private cell phone as part of an investigation into whether the president illegally interfered with the Federal Police.

Inciting and attending protests against quarantines and democratic institutions have become part of the president’s weekend routine. Last week, Mr. Bolsonaro joined supporters in front of the presidential palace, making a speech in which he said “the federal government has given all the support to help people who have contracted the virus.” Previously, he had also defended pro-military intervention protests — only to issue a half-hearted retraction later.

For the umpteenth time on his public forays, Mr. Bolsonaro failed to wear a protective mask — despite a state decree making them mandatory...