The Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Ken Paxton (R), the state’s attorney general. Pending the Senate’s decision, the official accused of bribery, abuse of authority and obstruction of justice was removed from his post. The Republican is the third official in state history to be formally changed by the state legislature.
Paxton served as a congressman and local senator before being elected as Texas attorney general, a position he assumed in 2015. After winning re-election in 2015 and 2022, the latter after defeating Jeb Bush’s son in the primaries. However, the Lower House has now recommended his impeachment for “serious offenses.”
After four hours of debate, 121 lawmakers voted to proceed with his impeachment, including all Democrats and 60 Republicans. Twenty-three other members of the Republican caucus voted against and two abstained from voting. “No one person should be above the law, least not the top law enforcement officer of the state of Texas,” said Rep. David Spiller in his opening remarks, one of the Republican committee members investigating Paxton.
After hearing the news, the now-former attorney general expressed his opinion via his Twitter account. “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. I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just,” he wrote.
The outcome of the vote will force Governor Greg Abbott to appoint a temporary replacement. It seems that Brent Webster, First Assistant Attorney General, will be chosen to take over as Attorney General, according to local media reports on Saturday. Meanwhile, Paxton awaits his impeachment trial to start in the Senate, which will ultimately determine his fate.
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. I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just. pic.twitter.com/fEiAroA2DW
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 27, 2023
What will it take to remove Paxton?
The Texas Senate is composed of 31 members, 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats. To definitively remove the Attorney General from his post, a two-thirds affirmative vote will be needed, translating into 21 legislators.
According to POLITICO, the strongest accusation hanging over the Republican involves Austin real estate developer Nate Paul. “In 2020, eight top aides told the FBI they were concerned Paxton was misusing his office to help Paul over the developer’s unproven claims that an elaborate conspiracy to steal $200 million of his properties was afoot. The FBI searched Paul’s home in 2019, but he has not been charged and denies wrongdoing. Paxton also told staff members he had an affair with a woman who, it later emerged, worked for Paul,” the media outlet reported.
According to the indictment, the attorney general allegedly attempted to interfere in foreclosure trials and issue legal opinions to benefit Paul. The legal bribery charges stem from Paul employing the woman with whom Paxton had an affair in exchange for legal help and paying for expensive renovations to the attorney general’s home.
Donald Trump’s response
Paxton has the full support of Donald Trump, who quickly criticized the Texas legislature's impeachment trial. A few days before the process began, the former president expressed himself on social networks and expressly targeted House Speaker Dade Phelan (R).
“I love Texas, won it twice in landslides, and watched as many other friends, including Ken Paxton, came along with me,” Trump wrote. “Hopefully Republicans in the Texas House will agree that this is a very unfair process that should not be allowed to happen or proceed—I will fight you if it does,” he began on Truth Social.
He further described Phelan as “barely a Republican at all, “RINO” (an acronym for Republican in name only), and called the process “election interference.” “Free Ken Paxton, let them wait for the next election!” he finished.
