A group of pro-Bolsonaro lawmakers has been pushing for a congressional inquiry to investigate the January 8 riots — when hordes of far-right Bolsonaro supporters stormed and ransacked the buildings housing all three branches of government. But they seem to have forgotten about a similar committee that already exists in the local state legislature in Brasília, which has heard important witnesses in the case.
The move by the pro-Bolsonaro federal lawmakers appears nonsensical. Why should the far-right draw more attention to the damage and chaos caused by thousands of their own voters?
The motion, authored by Congressman André Fernandes, a member of former President Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party, helps find the answer.
The text makes extensive use of the passive voice, citing “acts carried out by human action in the headquarters of the three branches of government.” It fails to mention that the rioters were hardcore supporters of Mr. Bolsonaro — or that they had been camped near the Army headquarters in Brasília. The text also mentions the possible presence of “infiltrated people,” echoing a conspiracy theory that anti-Bolsonaro agents were responsible for turning the rally into a full-blown riot.
In highly evasive remarks at a press conference, Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco said that “there are lawmakers” who want the request to set up the joint inquiry to be read the week after Easter.
This reading is a formal step necessary for the committee’s creation. Congressman Fernandes has shared his understanding that his request will be read the week of April 11 to 14, but he should not be so confident. Mr. Pacheco has experience in killing inquiries like this one, and last year he...
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