Brazil’s Supreme Court forced President Jair Bolsonaro to withdraw the name of a family friend that he had nominated to run the federal police, saying that it would give him undue influence over law enforcement. Justice Alexandre de Moraes blocked the appointment of Alexandre Ramagem, who was the director of the Brazilian intelligence agency Abin. While Moraes has granted an injunction against Ramagem’s appointment, it can be appealed.
Ramagem joined the federal police in 2005 and has been in charge of Abin since July 2019, which would have made him the federal police chief with the fewest years of experience. He joined Bolsonaro’s security team in 2018 after the current president was stabled on the campaign trail.
He has grown particularly close to the president’s sons, who are embroiled in embezzlement and misinformation scandals. Given that Carlos Bolsonaro is a Rio de Janeiro city councilor, that Eduardo Bolsonaro is a legislator, and that Flavio Bolsonaro is a Senator, Ramagem’s close ties to them are particularly troubling. Carlos and Eduardo are accused of disseminating “fake news”, while Flavio is being investigated for money laundering and misuse of public funds.
Reports of Bolsonaro’s desire to stack the government with close allies and confidants have been gathering steam recently.
Last week, Brazil’s Justice and Public Security Minister, Sergio Moro, resigned due to “political interference” and a lack of “autonomy” in the federal police after federal police chief Mauricio Valeixo was fired. Moro accused Bolsonaro of “breaking the promise of a carte blanche”. Bolsonaro sacked Valeixo as he wanted someone with whom he had “personal contact, whom he could call, ask for information, intelligence reports”. An anti-corruption judge also resigned on the same day just after Moro resigned.
Earlier this month, Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta was sacked after disagreeing with the president over the need for social distancing to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Bolsonaro said, “Mandetta's vision was that of health, of life. Mine is more than life, it includes the economy and jobs.”
These events have raised concerns about Bolsonaro’s administration. On Monday, the Brazilian Supreme Court ordered an investigation into Bolsonaro’s alleged interference in police investigations for political gain. Justice Celso de Mello gave the federal police 60 days to question former Justice and Public Security Minister Sergio Moro. Their findings will be presented to the attorney general, who could either request for a trial against Bolsonaro or an indictment against Moro for false testimony. An indictment of the president would have to be approved by the lower house of Brazil’s Congress.
The Supreme Court contends that “the crimes allegedly practised by the president of the republic” appear to have “an intimate connection with the exercise of the presidential mandate”. However, given that the lower house is largely dominated by Bolsonaro’s supporters, an indictment will almost certainly not be approved. However, in the unlikely event that he is indicted, Vice President Hamilton Mourao would take over for up to 180 days. If Bolsonaro is then convicted in a trial, he would be impeached.
Brazilian Supreme Court Orders Investigation Into Political Interference by Bolsonaro
A string of resignations and sackings have drawn suspicion.
May 1, 2020
IMAGE SOURCE: EVARISTO SA / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGESBrazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (right)