Milei defends Adorni after resignation amid corruption probe

Argentine President Javier Milei has reiterated his defense of Manuel Adorni, who recently resigned from his position as Chief of Staff following an investigation into alleged illicit enrichment. Milei stated in an interview that he continues to trust in Adorni's innocence, describing him as an honest person. The president explained that Adorni's resignation stemmed from his perception of "inadmissible levels of attack" directed at him.

The president's remarks came just hours after the appointment of Diego Santilli, the current Minister of the Interior, to the Chief of Staff position. Santilli, a politician with a long association with former President Mauricio Macri, is set to formally take over the role next Tuesday. Milei announced that the Ministry of the Interior and the Chief of Staff's office will be merged again, emphasizing the need for political strength in managing relations with provincial governors.

Adorni had been embroiled in a scandal since March due to revelations of lavish, undeclared expenses, leading to a judicial investigation into his finances. He admitted on June 10 to having hidden approximately half a million dollars in his asset declarations, attributing the funds to savings kept outside official records from his private sector work. Despite opposition efforts to summon Adorni to Congress for a potential no-confidence vote, Milei had previously relieved him of his presidential spokesperson duties on June 19, while he simultaneously held the Chief of Staff role. Milei denied that Adorni's continued presence was detrimental to his government, questioning the practice of condemning individuals before a judicial ruling.