On August 2, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies narrowly decided against placing President Michel Temer on trial before the Supreme Court on corruption charges. In a recorded conversation with Joesley Batista, owner of meatpacking giant JBS, Mr. Temer was heard purportedly accepting millions of dollars in bribes and directing illicit money flows for witness silence in a larger anti-corruption investigation. Nevertheless, despite the Chamber vote, President Temer, 76, may still prove unable to avoid the same fate that befell his predecessor Dilma Rousseff: removal from office.

Attorney General Rodrigo Janot is expected to charge Temer with another series of felonies, obstruction of justice and racketeering. The Chamber of Deputies may have to vote again on Temer’s fate in a few months. His approval rating stands at five percent. According to recent polling, 80 percent of Brazilians want Temer prosecuted. Because all of the Chamber Deputies are up…