Minister Kassio Nunes Marques' decision to recuse himself from the trial regarding Alexandre de Moraes represents a blow to André Mendonça's strategy, the rapporteur of the Master case. With Kassio's removal, Mendonça loses an ally in the session that will decide whether to open an investigation against Moraes.
The trial involves a Federal Police report that detected 52 messages exchanged between Moraes and Daniel Vorcaro, president of Banco Master. Kassio's absence from the trial weakens Mendonça's position, as he needed support to block the investigation.
Moraes used a similar legal argument to the defense presented by Vorcaro in an attempt to escape the investigation. The minister stated that he never exchanged messages with Vorcaro and emphasized his mission to ensure the balance of the 2026 elections, which he will chair at the Superior Electoral Court.
