Lula’s appointment and the Brazilian Congress began proceedings to impeach Rousseff. Rousseff has refused to step down.Rousseff said Lula was offered the cabinet position based on his success in managing Brazil’s economy while president from 2003 to 2011. But critics argue the move was meant to shelter the former president from prosecution. Brazilian law says cabinet ministers can only be prosecuted in the supreme court, according to Reuters. Following Rousseff’s announcement, the federal prosecutor overseeing the Operation Car Wash (Lava Jato) corruption probe released recordings of telephone conversations between the president and Lula. Opposition politicians claim the recordings show Rousseff’s attempt to influence prosecutors and courts in favor of Lula. Lula currently faces money laundering and fraud charges relating to a corruption scandal at state-owned oil company Petrobras. The presidential palace vowed to take action against the federal judge for releasing the wire taps. Credit: Instagram/yann.ick">