After losing the presidential election in October, Jair Bolsonaro has secluded himself. He hardly spoke in the 60 days that followed the runoff against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and did not host his traditional Thursday live broadcasts on social media. But with two days left in his term, Mr. Bolsonaro addressed his voters in what looked like a farewell message.
He tried to defend his legacy, criticized Lula and the Justice system, said he “did all he could” to revert the electoral results “within the four lines of the Constitution,” and dodged any responsibility for acts of violence carried out by his most radical supporters.
“Nothing justifies” terrorist acts, he said during the broadcast of nearly one hour from the Alvorada Palace, the official residence of Brazilian presidents. “Every time someone does something wrong, they say it’s a Bolsonarista,” he complained.
During Christmas weekend, a man was arrested for setting up a bomb placed near Brasília airport. He said he intended to stir “chaos” and create the conditions for a state of siege to be declared and prevent Lula’s Sunday inauguration. A remote detonation of the device failed. Otherwise, it could have caused “unprecedented damage,” security officials said.
For nearly an hour, Mr. Bolsonaro said he was being persecuted, once again suggested that the elections were not fair, and,...
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