Targeted by Trump, Alexandre de Moraes has alliances that guarantee him political strength.
Supreme Court Justice maintains contact with Lula and congressional leaders from different political parties.
247 - Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has become one of the main targets of US President Donald Trump, but remains shielded in Brazil by a wide network of allies that guarantees him influence and protection, according to the column by journalist [name missing]. Monica Bergamo in Folha de S.Paulo.
According to the report, this web of relationships was built both from his previous political career—when he was a secretary in São Paulo state governments and affiliated with the PSDB—and, above all, after his arrival at the Supreme Court. Today, it extends from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) to the top of Congress, encompassing various political forces.
Ties in Congress shield against impeachment.
The minister's closest relationship is with the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP), and with his predecessor, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG). Moraes has dinner almost weekly with Alcolumbre, who has publicly stated that he will not accept opening impeachment proceedings against the magistrate, even in the face of pressure from 41 senators after Bolsonaro's house arrest.
With Pacheco, the affinity was built during the period when the magistrate presided over the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) and the Minas Gerais native led the Senate, during the Bolsonaro offensive against electronic voting machines. At the time, both aligned themselves to defend the electoral system.
Bridges with old and new allies
Moraes also maintains contacts with politicians from different political camps, such as former Speakers of the House Rodrigo Maia and Arthur Lira (PP-AL). Although his relationship with Lira has faced friction, both have forged agreements to preserve "harmony between the branches of government." In the Executive branch, Moraes has reconnected with Lula since 2023. In July of this year, the president hosted a dinner in his honor at the Alvorada Palace, in response to sanctions imposed by Trump. His oldest connection, however, is with Vice President Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), who launched his political career in 2002 when he appointed him Secretary of Justice in São Paulo.
Support from members of the PSDB party and behind-the-scenes negotiations.
During his time as a member of the PSDB party, Moraes maintained relationships with deputies such as Carlos Sampaio (PSD) and Paulo Alexandre Barbosa (PSDB). In 2023, he even called parliamentarians asking for support for Barbosa's candidacy for leadership of the PSDB caucus in the Chamber of Deputies. The minister also worked behind the scenes to strengthen allies. According to... SheetIt is alleged that he intervened with the president of the Republicanos party, Marcos Pereira, to facilitate the affiliation of Gustavo Rocha, a former minister in the Temer government, who is seeking political space in the Federal District. Despite a history of confrontations with Bolsonaro, Moraes maintains dialogue with allies of the former president. The governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos), even consulted the magistrate before appointing the São Paulo state attorney general. Senator Ciro Nogueira (PP-PI) refused to sign impeachment requests against Moraes, arguing that the initiative would not be politically viable. Another close ally is Congressman Paulinho da Força (Solidariedade-SP), whose friendship with the minister was solidified in battles such as the overturning of the printed ballot. Moraes was also decisive in overturning the congressman's criminal conviction in the Supreme Court.
