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In a highly partisan political environment, it has become rare for members of either party to hold one of their own to account. But that’s exactly what happened Saturday afternoon, when the Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.
In spite of intense criticism from their own state party, high-ranking GOP officials and leading conservative voices, the House, in which the GOP holds an 86-64 majority, voted 121 to 23 to impeach Paxton.
To many who have followed his career, this impeachment was long overdue. Calling the attorney general scandal-plagued would be an understatement.
First elected in 2014, Paxton has been in legal trouble and a variety of scandals for most of his time in office, beginning with an indictment on felony securities fraud charges in 2015. To this point, however, Republicans have been giving him a pass — and voters kept electing him.
The straw that broke the camel’s back was Paxton’s request to have the Texas legislature pay $3.3 million that he agreed to pay four former staffers to settle a lawsuit they brought against him. In 2020, these whistleblowers had accused the attorney general of committing bribery, abuse of office, and other unspecified offenses.
Shortly after coming forward, the four aides were fired and brought their lawsuit.
Earlier this week, the Texas House General Investigating Committee unanimously recommended to impeach him in large part based on this episode. In total, they presented 20 articles of impeachment that cover everything from accusing him of taking bribes and obstructing justice to making false statements on official documents.
The issue has sharply divided the Texas GOP this week. Matt Rinaldi, the chairman of the state party, blasted House Republicans for initiating the impeachment proceedings and said they were “the latest front in the Texas House’s war against Republicans to stop the conservative direction of our state.”
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) also stood by Paxton.
“What is happening to [Paxton] is a travesty,” tweeted Cruz ahead of the vote. “For the last nine years, Ken has been the strongest conservative AG in the country. Bar none. No attorney general has battled the abuses of the Biden admin more ferociously—and more effectively—than has Paxton.”
1/x What is happening to @KenPaxtonTX is a travesty.
For the last nine years, Ken has been the strongest conservative AG in the country. Bar none. No attorney general has battled the abuses of the Biden admin more ferociously—and more effectively—than has Paxton.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 27, 2023
And Donald Trump Jr., who has emerged as a leading voice of his father’s MAGA movement, tweeted: “What the RINOs in the Texas State House are trying to do to America First patriot Ken Paxton is a disgrace. MAGA stands with [Paxton] against this RINO/Dem led witch hunt!!!”
What the RINOs in the Texas State House are trying to do to America First patriot Ken Paxton is a disgrace.
MAGA stands with @KenPaxtonTX against this RINO/Dem led witch hunt!!! https://t.co/YRhoUdqCjw
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 26, 2023
Now that he has been impeached, the attorney general is temporarily removed from office and will stand trial in the state Senate. His chances of being acquitted there seem quite good, especially because his wife is one of the senators who will serve as a juror.
