Sessions of the Supreme Court have already recorded heated discussions, ironies and insults between ministers. See some of the main clashes
2009
Joaquim Barbosa x Gilmar Mendes
During the session, Barbosa accused Gilmar, then president of the STF, of destroying the credibility of the Judiciary
Barbosa stated: “Your Excellency is destroying the credibility of Justice. […] Get out into the street, minister.” Upon hearing that Gilmar was already “on the street”, he replied: “Your Excellency, when you address me, you are not talking to your henchmen from Mato Grosso, Minister Gilmar.”
2013
Ricardo Lewandowski x Joaquim Barbosa
At the Mensalão trial, Barbosa said that his colleague was doing “chicany” to delay the process
Lewandowski asked for an immediate retraction and stated that he did not accept being treated that way in plenary
2015
Gilmar Mendes x Ricardo Lewandowski
During a session on the prison regime when there is a lack of vacancies, Gilmar said: “I’m not from São Bernardo and I don’t commit electoral fraud.”
Lewandowski replied: “I’m not from Mato Grosso. Your Excellency makes insinuations that are incompatible with the seriousness of the STF.”
2016
Gilmar Mendes x Ricardo Lewandowski
The clash occurred during a trial over social security contributions. Lewandowski classified a request for a view from his colleague as “unusual”
Gilmar called the action “heterodox”. Lewandowski replied: “Thank God I don’t follow Your Excellency’s example.”
2017
Gilmar Mendes x Luís Roberto Barroso
In a trial on the extinction of audit courts, Gilmar criticized the situation in Rio, Barroso’s home state. Barroso reacted with attacks on his colleague’s actions
Barroso stated that Gilmar was lenient with the white collar and “lived exuding hatred”. Gilmar insinuated that his colleague advocated for “international criminals”
2018
Luís Roberto Barroso x Gilmar Mendes
During the trial over electoral donations, Barroso stated that Gilmar was “a horrible person, a mixture of evil with delay and hints of psychopathy”
Gilmar stated that Barroso should close his law firm. The session was suspended
2025
Luís Roberto Barroso x Luiz Fux
During the session, Barroso stated that Fux “was not being faithful to the facts” when questioning the redistribution of a process
“Your excellency is creating a situation that didn’t exist. I don’t even understand this confusion,” added Barroso
2025
Gilmar Mendes x Luiz Fux
The friction occurred behind the scenes at the Supreme Court, during a session break. Gilmar questioned Fux’s decisions and suggested that his colleague undergo “therapy to get rid of Lava Jato”
According to reports, Fux responded that he would speak ill of Gilmar in several places and occasions. Gilmar stated that he spoke badly of Fux publicly, and not behind his back, as he considered him a regrettable figure
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