Internal Conflict Erupts in Brazil's Supreme Court Between Justices Moraes and Mendonça

A severe institutional crisis has emerged within the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) following a series of mutual accusations between Justice Alexandre de Moraes and Justice André Mendonça. The conflict began after Justice Mendonça lifted the secrecy of a Federal Police (PF) report that revealed dialogues between Justice Moraes and former banker Daniel Vorcaro. In response, Justice Moraes used the court's fake news inquiry to request an investigation into Justice Mendonça for abuse of authority, administrative improbity, and crimes of responsibility.

Central to the dispute is an internal PF report used by Moraes to counter attack Mendonça. This document alleges that Mendonça exhibited a political bias by focusing investigations on Moraes and Senate President Davi Alcolumbre while sparing other targets for personal and political reasons. The report also suggests a political alliance between Mendonça and Attorney General Jorge Messias. However, the PF itself classified the information in this report as having low confidence and stated it has no evidentiary value.

Professional intelligence agents from Intelis, an association of Abin professionals, have criticized the PF report used by Moraes. They stated that the document does not follow the methodological parameters of state intelligence and warned that such reports should not replace criminal investigative procedures. Meanwhile, retired Justice Marco Aurélio Mello expressed regret over his past support for Moraes, asserting that Mendonça acted correctly by forwarding the Vorcaro report to the Prosecutor General.

Justice Cármen Lúcia has emerged as a pivotal figure in the conflict, as she is viewed as a deciding vote in the plenary sessions that will evaluate the conduct of both ministers. While she has expressed perplexity at the erosion of internal relations within the court, she has stated she will decide based exclusively on the case files. The court is now tasked with determining if Mendonça acted arbitrarily in his investigations or if Moraes overstepped his authority in his counter attack.