In a dramatic and emotional session, Brazilian federal deputy Zé Trovão (PL-SC) was seen in tears as the Chamber's Ethics Council approved a report recommending his suspension. The proposal, which also targets deputies Marcos Pollon (PL-MS) and Marcel Van Hattem (Novo-RS), calls for a two-month suspension from their mandates. The recommended punishment stems from their roles in the occupation of the Chamber's main podium, the Mesa Diretora, in August of 2025.
During the nine-hour meeting, Zé Trovão expressed profound distress, calling it the "worst day of his life." He stated that the pain of this moment surpassed even that of his own previous imprisonment, emphasizing his concern for his staff and their families who depend on their parliamentary salaries. The session laid bare the personal toll the political fallout is taking on the involved legislators.
The incident in question occurred on August 5, 2025, following the Supreme Court's decision to place former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest. In protest, a group of opposition deputies, including Trovão, Pollon, and Van Hattem, physically occupied the speaker's podium. Their actions directly prevented the Chamber's president, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), from accessing his chair and initiating the day's legislative work, creating a significant standoff.
The Ethics Council's rapporteur, deputy Moses Rodrigues (União-CE), concluded that the deputies' conduct was incompatible with parliamentary decorum. In his report, he stated that the episode could not be confused with a regular political protest or a legitimate expression of dissent, drawing a clear line between protected speech and actions that disrupt the functioning of the legislature.
Each of the accused deputies mounted a defense based on their parliamentary rights. Zé Trovão argued the action was a peaceful protest aimed at pressuring for amnesty for those convicted in connection with the January 8th events, denying any intent to incite violence. Marcel Van Hattem contended that sitting in a chair designated for any of the 513 deputies is not illicit, framing it as a legitimate exercise of their right to assembly. Marcos Pollon similarly cited parliamentary immunity, asserting their actions were peaceful and did not exceed legal bounds.
The recommended suspensions are not yet final. The deputies have the right to appeal the decision to the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ). If the appeal is rejected there, the matter will be sent to the full Chamber floor for a final vote, where the ultimate fate of the three legislators will be decided.
Based on reporting from g1.