Justice Minister Sergio Moro Sacked, Claims Bolsonaro Wanted Control Over Secret Intelligence Reports

President Jair Bolsonaro finds himself in the eye of the storm yet again, amid the coronavirus outbreak—this time around, with the abrupt stepping down of his Justice Minister Sergio Moro. Moro alleged that the move was a result of Bolsonaro’s decision to appoint an ally in his place—as the new federal chief— in order to gain access to secret intelligence reports for undisclosed reasons.

Moro’s claims, however, were met with firm resistance and refusals from the president during a Television address Friday, April 24. “Sorry Mr. Minister, you won’t make a liar of me,” said Bolsonaro, during his speech as he was surrounded by a group of aides, including his son Eduardo. “The insinuations that I wanted to know about ongoing investigations are not true,” he added, asserting how there was nothing unethical with his desire to be in regular contact with the new federal police chief.

The news of Moro being ousted from power angered Bolsonaro’s voters, who were already irked by the Presidents muddled approach and ineptitude in tackling the pandemic.

Despite the vehement refusals on Bolsonaro’s part, the allegations put forth by Moro gave rise to pot banging protests and outcry among Brazilians, who sensed foul play in the unforeseen resignation of one of Bolsonaro’s most powerful ministers.

Moro left no stone unturned in dropping explosive details about Bolsonaro’s motives behind sacking him. “He wanted someone he had personal contact with, who he could call, gather information from [and] collect intelligence reports from,” he said, hinting at the President’s desire to gain control over highly confidential information.

Some of the opposers called for an impeachment of the President. “Moro’s testimony … constitutes strong evidence for an impeachment process,” tweeted Flávio Dino, the leftist governor of the north-eastern state of Maranhão, showing his implicit support to Moro. Another tweet condemning his move was none other than Bolsonaro’s arch-rival Fernando Henrique Cardoso. “The president is digging his own grave. He should resign [and] save us from a long impeachment process,” tweeted Brazil’s former president.

Moro has had an eventful run during his tenure as a federal chief, during which he unearthed the “Car Wash” investigation, which led to the imprisonment of former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Moro’s popularity didn’t wither despite his role in the corruption probe being discredited by leaked documents that hinted at the judge acting improperly – claims that were brushed aside by him.