Sheinbaum Asks Justices to Explain Final Extraordinary Meeting of Supreme Court

This article by Emir Olivares and Néstor Jiménez originally appeared in the August 13, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Mexico City. “We should ask why they want an extraordinary session. Perhaps they are going to resolve the tax issue of someone who owes a lot,” questioned President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo regarding the decision of the outgoing justices of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN)—at the request of Chief Justice Norma Piña—to call one last extraordinary session before leaving office on August 31.

During her morning press conference at the National Palace, the head of the Executive Branch drew attention to the Supreme Court’s decision and emphasized that “the truth is that they are already leaving,” and that the arrival of the justices elected in the judicial elections will bring “fresh air” to the Judiciary.

When asked about the issue, Sheinbaum urged the current ministers to explain why an extraordinary meeting was called—on August 19, with a possible extension to the 28th.

“Because yesterday was the last session of the Supreme Court, we’re going to say (…) Or what? Little by little, until the last moment, they’re going to want to roll back the reform of the Judiciary? (…) The truth is, they’re already leaving,” she emphasized.

The federal president criticized the Supreme Court for calling this extraordinary session. “What’s the point?”

Sheinbaum was also asked about the draft budget for 2026, approved in a private session of the Court—which was planned as the last—which contemplates an overall increase of 12.7 percent compared to 2025, equivalent to 5 billion 869 million 743 thousand 404 pesos. The document, presented to the ministers just last Friday, will be sent to Congress for final approval.

“About the budget, no, no. The new Court is coming, they won’t earn as much anymore, they’ll earn less than the president, they can’t earn more than the President, the Constitution clearly states that. They approved a very high budget, but hey, once the new Court comes, a breath of fresh air comes to the judiciary.”

President Sheinbaum considered that the new ministers—who will take office on September 1—can review this draft. “They have no reason not to review it.”