Bolsonaro’s allies criticize Moraes after supreme court nullifies CFM probe into former president’s care

Bolsonaro’s allies criticize Moraes after supreme court nullifies CFM probe into former president’s care

Allies of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro launched fierce criticism against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This outcry follows Moraes’ decision to annul a Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) investigation into the former president’s medical assistance. The ruling further mandated the Federal Police to interview the head of the medical entity.

The controversy originated after the CFM issued a statement questioning the medical care provided to Bolsonaro following a fall at the Federal Police Superintendency. In response, the Council initiated a probe to ascertain if adequate medical attention had been guaranteed.

Hours later, Moraes intervened, deeming the CFM’s initiative illegal and outside its jurisdiction in this specific case. His decision also stipulated that the Federal Police must depose CFM President José Hiran da Silva Gallo within ten days.

Lawmakers decry Moraes’ decision as political persecution

Several parliamentarians aligned with Bolsonaro swiftly condemned Justice Moraes’ ruling, characterizing it as an act of political persecution. The decision has ignited further debate regarding the boundaries of judicial authority and medical oversight.

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), a pre-candidate for the presidency and the former president’s son, labeled Moraes’ actions as “negationist.” He sharply criticized the delay in transferring his father to a hospital, warning that the situation could have escalated significantly.

* Flávio Bolsonaro emphasized that the CFM’s note highlighted the immediate need for medical attention after the former president’s fall.
* He expressed solidarity with the CFM president, stressing the importance of prioritizing patient health over bureaucratic hurdles.

“It is UNACCEPTABLE that Bolsonaro was only taken to a hospital 24 hours after the accident! Thank God it wasn’t serious, but what if it was?” Senator Bolsonaro wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He added, “Bolsonaro could have been found dead in the morning!!! Is this Moraes’ wish against Bolsonaro???”

Allegations of abuse of power

Federal Deputy Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO) escalated the rhetoric, labeling Moraes a “dictator” and accusing him of “abuse of power.” Gayer questioned the justice’s expanding roles, suggesting Moraes was acting simultaneously as an investigator, accuser, judge, and now, even a medical authority.

Gayer’s comments underscored a broader sentiment among Bolsonaro’s supporters that Moraes’ actions overstep judicial bounds. He wrote on X, “All of this after the CFM spoke out in favor of a Brazilian patient’s health. An elderly man, unjustly condemned and a target of blatant torture. This is not justice, it’s vengeance, it’s dictatorship!”

Calls for senatorial intervention and questioning jurisdiction

Deputy Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG) articulated concerns that Moraes represents a “great risk to democracy.” Ferreira posited that only the Federal Senate possesses the constitutional power to restrain the justice, yet, in his view, “it does nothing.” This stance highlights a perception among some lawmakers of a lack of checks and balances within the Brazilian political system.

Similarly, Deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante (RJ), the leader of the Liberal Party (PL), employed irony to question the decision, asking rhetorically if Justice Moraes “is a doctor.” This comment implicitly challenges the legal basis and expertise behind Moraes’ intervention in a matter concerning medical professional standards.

A pattern of persecution claims

Senator Rogério Marinho (PL) asserted that Moraes’ decision “lays bare a pattern of persecution that can no longer be ignored.” His statement resonates with a segment of the political spectrum that perceives a consistent targeting of conservative figures by certain judicial authorities. Marinho’s remarks contribute to the narrative that these legal actions are politically motivated rather than purely judicial.

This sentiment suggests a deepening polarization within Brazil’s political landscape, where judicial decisions are often viewed through a partisan lens. The ongoing tensions between the judiciary and legislative branches, particularly concerning figures associated with the former administration, remain a critical point of contention. The debate over who oversees the overseers, as encapsulated by Marinho’s questioning, continues to fuel public discourse.

The controversy’s timeline and implications

The incident began with Bolsonaro’s fall in a federal police facility, prompting the CFM to issue a note on the adequacy of his medical care. This was followed by the Council’s swift move to open a formal inquiry through the CRM-DF, aiming to investigate the medical procedures. However, Moraes’ immediate nullification of this probe has raised significant questions about the autonomy of professional councils and the extent of judicial oversight.

* January 7, 2026, Morning: CFM issues a note questioning Bolsonaro’s medical care after a fall.
* January 7, 2026, Early Afternoon: CFM determines CRM-DF will open an inquiry into the medical assistance provided.
* January 7, 2026, Hours Later: Justice Moraes annuls the CFM inquiry, deeming it illegal, and orders the Federal Police to interview the CFM president.

This sequence of events has far-reaching implications, not only for the involved individuals but also for the institutional framework governing medical ethics and legal jurisdiction in Brazil. The clash underscores persistent debates about separation of powers and the scope of authority held by different public bodies.

Bolsonaro, Alexandre de Moraes, CFM, Supreme Court, Brazil politics