The Three Powers Plaza was the site of mass protests and attacks on January 8 ... While some view this as essential to protecting Brazil’s democracy, critics have decried it as judicial overreach aimed at curtailing conservative voices.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said on Thursday that the suicide bomber who tried to get into the top court on Wednesday had intended to blow up the building, casting it as part of a growing wave of attacks on democracy.

Two powerful explosions occurred at Brazil's supreme court around 7:30 p.m., shortly after the day's session concluded.