Adorni Scandal: Accusations That Milei Protected a "Thief" and His Anti-Caste Discourse Collapsed

The scandal surrounding Manuel Adorni, the former chief of staff investigated for alleged illicit enrichment, not only shakes the foundations of Javier Milei’s government but, according to opposition voices, destroys the founding narrative of La Libertad Avanza. National deputy for Unión por la Patria Kelly Olmos said it bluntly: the Adorni case «broke the anti-caste discourse» that the ruling party used to come to power.

In statements to a radio station, Olmos fired heavy ammunition against the libertarian administration. «Adorni did not leave because of a government decision. What we feel is that there was enormous protection for a person who for the rest of society was a thief,» said the Buenos Aires legislator, who did not hesitate to label the now former official as an alleged criminal. And she went further: «The level of effort they put into protecting him should make us ask what is behind that situation.»

For Olmos, the shielding of Adorni is the clearest proof that Milei’s anti-caste discourse is pure smoke. «The entire anti-caste discourse has concretely collapsed because the names that sustain this government are part of what they identified as the caste,» she stated. A direct accusation at the heart of the official narrative, which promised to sweep away the privileges of traditional politics.

The deputy also referred to the possible arrival of Diego Santilli as chief of staff, replacing Adorni. «He will bring government policy, connections, dialogue, and anticipation» to national management, she assessed. And she considered that «it is a new opportunity to change the logic,» but warned: «If the government does not understand that Milei is not a king or an emperor and that it needs real political and democratic conversation, problems will reappear.»

Olmos took the opportunity to criticize Milei’s economic management. «This project is reaching a very strong limit in society’s ability to withstand an income crisis like the one this government has imposed on the majority,» she said. And she was blunt: «People are having a very hard time.» She cited as an example the deregulation of gas cylinder prices, which «mainly affects the most vulnerable sectors.»

She also targeted the Regime of Incentives for Large Investments (RIGI), which she labeled as benefiting «mainly foreign companies.» «They commit Argentina for 30 years and will not deploy benefits for the whole,» the legislator denounced.

While the Adorni case continues to add judicial angles, the ruling party is trying to downplay the scandal. But opposition criticism does not cease. Unión por la Patria has found in this affair a vein to hit Milei where it hurts most: his promise to end the caste. And it does so with the same harshness that the president uses to attack his adversaries.