Prosecutor Rodrigo Janot delivered the charge to the Supreme Court. The lower house of Congress must now vote on whether to allow the tribunal to try a sitting president.
Lawmakers within Temer's coalition are confident they have the votes to block the two-third majority required to proceed with a trial.
"Nothing will destroy us. Not me and not our ministers," Temer said during the ceremonial signing of a bill in the capital of Brasilia, noting that his government couldn't be toppled by the accusation.
