Expenses call into question the “austerity” of the new Court

However, these promises remained in the past, since it was stated that the Judicial Branch acquired nine luxury vans for ministerswhich – with armor – cost 2.4 million pesos each, so in total the expense was more than 20 million pesos.

However, the Court gave a series of arguments to justify the purchase. He said that the acquisition was due to the mechanical failures of the vehicles left by the previous judges; that now the ministers go out into the field to be close to the people, which is why they need to mobilize, and that since 2010 the highest court of justice agreed that the vehicle fleet is renewed every four years and the vehicles of the members of the Plenary must be armored for the functions they perform.

Due to the constant criticism of this purchase, since it contrasts with the austerity discourse that Morena has spread, Minister President Hugo Aguilar assured that the ministers have no problem taking the Metro, bus or their own vehicles to transport themselves.

“Personally, I can even walk on the Metro, I have no problem. We are in a hurry to arrive on time to the sessions, review the issues well and generate the minimum conditions, but we are not of another type, of another mood that we need by force in x and under conditions. We are willing to walk like any of you: on foot if necessary,” he declared on January 26.

Not only were the nine trucks acquired, but a total of 571 new vehicles were acquired in the last quarter of 2025, with an investment of 252 million pesos. This expense was intended to cover the mobility needs of both the Court and the Judicial Administration Body and the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Federation.

The Judiciary explained that the purchase of vehicles was due to the fact that they previously leased 445 cars, which generated an annual operating cost of 366.2 million pesos, a figure that was considered unsustainable in the long term.

Also questioned were the trips of the members of the SCJNas photos and videos were released of Minister Loretta Ortiz traveling to Costa Rica to attend the inauguration of the Inter-American Judicial Year 2026.

The minister later showed that she traveled in Premium economy class.

For his part, the president of the SCJN, Hugo Aguilar, maintained that the Court will not stop spending, since that paralyzes the highest court of justice.

“Austerity implies responsibility in the use of the people’s money without affecting the functioning of the institution. Yes, we have a fund for travel expenses, for fuel. There are the vehicles that we have been using, already behind schedule, but working, we can go by truck and nothing happens,” he said this Monday, January 26.

According to the 2026 Federation Expenditure Budget, the Judiciary has 142 million 812 thousand 434 pesos for travel and travel expenses for everyone this year.

Added to the expenses is the purchase of robes for new ministers elected in June 2025. According to various contracts (50250201) published in the National Transparency Platform, in July 2025, six togas were acquired for extraordinary ceremonies at a cost of 23 thousand pesos for each one. This means a total of 160,080 pesos with everything and VAT.

These robes are for extraordinary or solemn sessions, black in tergal, with lapels and cuffs in fine satin, lined and with black satin trim on lapels and cuffs. The delivery date was in August.

In September another purchase was made for six more togas, but these are for ordinary sessions, which cost a total of 134,467 pesos for all of them. That is, 294,147 pesos were paid for the 12 togas.

Added to the expenses medical attention that the workers of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) will receive, including the ministers. While State workers face waiting lists to receive second-level medical services, which are consultations with specialized services, surgeries, clinical laboratories, rehabilitation and intensive care, any Court worker, including ministers, will have fast tracks.

An agreement signed by the Institute of Security and Social Services of State Workers (ISSSTE) with the Court establishes that the Court’s medical services may refer its personnel to second-level medical units. This is based on the argument that the members of the highest court of justice no longer have insurance for major medical expenses.

Included among the expenses is “purification ceremony” and delivery of the Staff of Command to the president of the Court, Hugo Aguilar Ortiz. This event took place on September 1, 2025 in the Zócalo of Mexico City and cost 1,254,000 pesos.

The Universal reported that the General Directorate of Material Resources of the SCJN paid five suppliers for different concepts, such as the rental of portable toilets, audio equipment, printing and stationery services, catering and assembly of a temple.