President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva participated in an event at the Palace on Tuesday, the same day that Minister André Mendonça, from the Supreme Federal Court (STF), determined the removal of the director-general of the Federal Police, Andrei Rodrigues, but made no mention of the episode during his speech. Lula spoke at a ceremony about conservation units, held in allusion to Amazon Day, focusing on environmental themes and on his government's actions for the protection of the forest.
The silence about the removal was repeated on social media. Lula made posts throughout the day, but, until the end of the afternoon, had not directly commented on Mendonça's decision nor on Andrei's removal.
The minister's determination directly affected the leadership of the PF. In addition to Andrei, Mendonça removed the director of Police Intelligence, Leandro Almada. Andrei had been chosen by Lula to command the corporation at the beginning of his third term.
