Bolsonaro’s Absence from Coup Trial Signals Weakness in Brazil’s Democratic Reckoning

The unfolding trial of Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president accused of leading an insurrectionist campaign against democratic order, has taken a significant turn. Bolsonaro’s choice to skip the first session of the Supreme Court trial under house arrest exposes more than just health concerns — it reveals the fragility of attempts to hold authoritarian impulses accountable. Can Brazil Stand Firm Against Anti-Democratic Forces? At 70 years old and confined to his home, Bolsonaro refrains from presenting himself before the judicial process set to examine allegations that he incited violent protests and attempted to disrupt Brazil’s constitutional transition after his election...