STF President Fachin gives Justice Mendonça 72 hours to respond to PF director reinstatement request

Supreme Court President Edson Fachin has given Justice André Mendonça 72 hours to respond to a request from the Attorney General of the Union (AGU) to overturn the removal of Federal Police (PF) Director General Andrei Rodrigues and Intelligence Director Leandro Almada. The AGU, representing the federal government, argues that Mendonça's decision violates the exclusive constitutional prerogative of the President of the Republic to appoint and remove PF leadership. The AGU further warned that the abrupt vacancies in strategic command create a concrete risk of institutional disorganization.

Justice Mendonça ordered the removals after Justice Alexandre de Moraes used PF intelligence reports to request an investigation into Mendonça regarding the Banco Master case and illegal INSS discounts. Mendonça characterized these reports as systematic monitoring and directed collection of personal and professional information, describing the actions as institutional spying. He also ordered the PF Internal Affairs office to open criminal and disciplinary inquiries and suspended the production of intelligence reports analyzing the actions of judges and public defenders.

While the STF's Second Panel initially formed a majority to validate the removals, Justice Gilmar Mendes requested more time for analysis, suggesting the matter be decided by the full plenary. The AGU supports this view, noting that Mendonça had previously indicated the matter should be examined by the plenary before deciding individually. The conflict follows a series of events starting on October 1, when Mendonça lifted the secrecy of a report revealing messages between Justice Moraes and banker Daniel Vorcaro.