Texas AG Ken Paxton Impeachment Trial Begins

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Facts

  • The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton began Tuesday as Republicans in the state’s Senate must decide whether or not to oust the thrice-elected politician accused of corruption or stand behind the prominent ally of former Pres. Donald Trump.1
  • Paxton, a long-time conservative hero in the state, was impeached by an overwhelming majority of the GOP-led Texas House of Representatives over claims that he used his power to help a donor, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who allegedly granted Paxton favors in return.2
  • Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Paxton ally, will preside over the trial, which started with the Senate clerk reading each of the House’s 20 articles of impeachment. The two sides made their opening statements, with the House going first, followed by Paxton’s side.3
  • Paxton pleaded not guilty to all 16 corruption articles, with the remaining four — to which he has already pleaded not guilty — pertaining to securities fraud charges from 2015. Further, Paxton will not be forced to testify before the Senate, but the Senate rejected two motions to dismiss the impeachment proceedings.4
  • In order to convict Paxton, 21 of Texas’s 30 eligible senators — not including Paxton’s wife, who serves in the chamber — are required to vote against him, which would make him the third Texas official to ever be removed from office.5
  • Despite maintaining his innocence, Paxton was suspended following his May impeachment, with Angela Colmenero currently serving as acting attorney general.6

Sources: 1Associated Press, 2FOX News, 3CNN (a), 4NBC 5 Dallas, 5CNN (b), and 6NBC.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by American Greatness. It's a sad yet common reflection of our times that the political establishment can pursue sham impeachment trials to attack political opponents. We’ve seen this political lawfare ramp up with the endless attacks against Trump, and we are seeing it now against Ken Paxton. Unfortunately, this issue isn’t exclusive to one political party and is a signature part of Washington's so-called democracy.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Paxton is a corrupt politician who abused his power for years. While Paxton may be popular among Texas voters who remain entranced by Donald Trump, no one is above the law, especially a state attorney general who has sworn to uphold and enforce it. Senators cannot sit by and allow a crooked attorney general to remain in power. This is about maintaining the integrity of the Texas government, not partisan politics.