The GOP-controlled Texas House voted 121-23 to adopt 20 articles of impeachment against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton Saturday afternoon.
“I am beyond grateful to have the support of millions of Texans who recognize that what we just witnessed is illegal, unethical, and profoundly unjust,” Paxton wrote in a tweet shortly after the vote, also appending a longer statement.
“I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just.”
Today’s proceedings stemmed from an investigation targeting the three-term official’s request for $3.3 million to pay a settlement to former employees who accused him of wrongdoing. The fired employees accused him of using his office to benefit a campaign donor, Nate Paul, as TheBlaze reported.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called Texas’ top law enforcement officer “the strongest conservative AG in the country” in a series of tweets defending Paxton prior to Saturday’s vote.
“No attorney general has battled the abuses of the Biden admin more ferociously — and more effectively — than has Paxton,” Sen. Cruz wrote.
According to Cruz it should be left to the courts to sort out Paxton’s “legal challenges.” In his view, legislators should “respect the choice of the Texas voters” since “virtually all” of the information in the articles of impeachment were public prior to voters reelecting him.
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
Former President Trump defended Paxton and criticized Texas Republican Speaker of the House Dade Phelan (R) in a series of posts on Truth Social.
Trump called Phelan “barely a Republican” who “failed the test on voter integrity.”
He praised Paxton as “one of the most hard working and effective” attorneys general in the state.
Prior to the vote, Trump vowed to “fight” Republicans in the Texas House who allowed the process to move forward.
Today’s impeachment was the first of its kind since 1975, according to the Texas Tribune. The referral to the Senate includes charges of bribery, abuse of office, and obstruction.
In the Senate trial, senators serve as jurors while House members will present the case as impeachment managers, the outlet also explained. Paxton’s permanent removal and ban from holding future office would require the support of two-thirds of senators.
According to Texas state law, Paxton must step aside from his duties while he awaits a trial in the Senate.
Well I knew about this before I voted – and still voted for him because he’s the most active conservative AG around……….and Austin unfortunately, as well as SA and Houston and Dallas are becoming super liberal. Not sure if it’s voters bringing their bad voting habits from the Blue states they are fleeing, or the result of super liberal colleges – but I will vote for him again versus any Bush or pseudo-conservative if it comes to that.
I’m in Texas, came from California a couple years ago, and voted FOR Paxton. I’m seeing the House of Reps in Texas is filled with RINO’s. Not ALL, but A LOT. It’s disgusting what is happening today
For sure, motherfucker mayor of McKinney. That peace of filth mandated wearing muzzles (AKA masks) one week before wheel sheared fascist impotent abbott did.
Hitler ordered jews (about 1% of population) to where 6 pointed Star which didn’t deprive jews of free breathing. abbot ordered 20 millions (100%) of healthy texans whear muzzles. Same reason Hitler gave: Jews have or MAY HAVE desises and sign will warn people of danger.
Then who is worst, (Hitler) or abbot?
SOUNDS LIKE A BUNCH OF MUMBO JUMBO. SEEMS TO HAVE COME OUT OF THE BLUE AND IS NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR REPUBLICANS, IE RINOS. I HOPE THEY ALL HAVE CLEAN HANDS OR THIS JUST OPENS THE DOOR FOR MORE OF THE SAME. HA.
WHATS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
I do not live in Texas but from what I have seen/heard, he seems like a common sense kind of guy.
It seems like a battle between liberals and conservatives. It is getting pretty tiresome that these parties can not and will not work together for the common good of their states and country.
I voted for Ken Paxton. He is a good WHITE MAN.
People like you need to gather in great numbers and protest this injust impeachment.
It’s a shakedown because he fights hard against the illegitimate and corrupt Biden administration. Somebody was tasked to dig deep to get dirt and this is what they came up with. The Left will not stop at targeting every effective Conservative. They are truly the cockroaches of our political system. Can’t get rid of them because they keep proliferating, and they drop their shit everywhere making them carriers of disease. They never cease in their ability to destabilize government and society and foment dis-ease everywhere they exist!
Well stated and very true.
This proves the Rino party has gone completely communist leftist and luciferian like their Democrat Antichrist pedifile party, the only response for these anti -constitutional and America hating scumbags will be a full-blown Civil War holding all tyrannical treasonous communist corrupted agencies personally responsible when it comes time for Retribution and they will be treated as a domestic terrorist and communist infiltrators and war criminals that they are