Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Impeached by State House of Representatives
Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General has been impeached by the state’s House of Representatives in an impeachment vote on Saturday. The move caused his immediate suspension from office, following years of legal and ethical scandals that have long dogged the state’s top attorney. The impeachment process in Texas is similar to federal impeachment. The state’s GOP-controlled House impeached Paxton by a simple majority, which led to his suspension from office. Now, a Senate trial will decide if he will be permanently removed from office or acquitted.
How the Process Works
The process of impeaching a state official in Texas is almost similar to that of the federal system. Impeachment starts at the state House, where the five-member House General Investigating Committee voted unanimously Thursday to send 20 articles of impeachment to the full, 149-member chamber.
Grim Legislative Math
Paxton faced grim legislative math. Just a simple majority was needed to impeach. That meant only a small fraction of the House’s 85 Republicans was needed to vote against him if all 64 Democrats did. The final vote was 121-23.
Investigation and Allegations
Investigators delivered an extraordinary public airing of Paxton’s years of scandal and alleged lawbreaking over several hours Wednesday prior to recommending impeachment. The Attorney General has been at the center of several allegations of wrongdoing that emerged in legal filings and news reports over the years. Republican lawmakers and leaders mostly took a muted posture towards the myriad examples of misconduct and lawbreaking.
The Role of the Senate
After impeaching Paxton, a Senate trial will decide whether to permanently remove him from office or acquit him. The Senate requires a two-thirds majority vote to remove him from office.
The Difference Between Texas and Federal System
There is a significant difference between Texas’ system of impeachment and the federal system; impeachment in Texas means immediate suspension from office until the outcome of the Senate trial. Republican Governor Greg Abbott would then appoint an interim replacement.
Republican on Republican
The investigation that led to Paxton’s impeachment was mounted by a five-member committee that included his fellow Republicans. This led to a political fight that pitted Paxton, who has closely aligned himself with former President Donald Trump and the state’s hard-right conservatives, against House Republican leaders.
Paxton’s Defiance
Paxton fought the impeachment every step of the way, calling the process “corrupt” and asking supporters to rally for him at the state capitol during the vote. The impeachment charges were based on allegations of lawbreaking and misconduct that emerged in legal filings and news reports over the years.
A Sudden Threat
Paxton’s impeachment came in the final days of the state’s legislative session, setting up a bruising political fight. Republican lawmakers and leaders took a muted posture towards the allegations of Paxton’s misconduct and lawbreaking that have long dogged the state’s top lawyer until now.
The Settlement
In February, Paxton agreed to settle a whistleblower lawsuit brought by former aides who accused him of corruption. The $3.3 million payout must be approved by the House, and Republican Speaker Dade Phelan has said he doesn’t think taxpayers should foot the bill.
Paxton’s Part in the Settlement
The investigative committee wrote in a Friday memo that “But for Paxton’s own request for a taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct, Paxton would not be facing impeachment.”
Republican Leaders Have Spoken
Moments after the vote, Paxton’s office said the impeachment was “based on totally false claims” and pointed to internal reports that found no wrongdoing. Trump and Sen Ted Cruz came to his defense on Saturday, while Republican lawmakers and leaders remained largely silent until now.
The Governor’s Stand
Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who lauded Paxton while swearing him in for a third term in January, has not spoken about the impeachment process.
The Marriage Wrinkle
The attorney general’s wife, Angela, is a two-term state senator who could be pressured to vote on her husband’s political future, notwithstanding her relationship. It is unclear whether she would or should participate in the Senate trial, where the attorney general’s future would be decided.
Conclusion
Ken Paxton’s impeachment is a significant development that brings an end to years of legal and ethical scandals surrounding Texas Republican Attorney General. It was a political fight that pitted Paxton against House Republican leaders. The Senate trial that will decide his fate will certainly be watched closely.
FAQs
What is impeachment?
Impeachment is the action of calling into question the integrity or validity of a judicial or legislative official’s actions. It is the ultimate political sanction for misconduct or lawbreaking by officials.
What happens after impeachment?
After impeachment, the Senate conducts a trial to decide whether to remove the official from office or acquit them of the charges.
Does impeachment lead to immediate removal from office?
No, not in every system of impeachment. In Texas, impeachment means immediate suspension from office until the outcome of the Senate trial.
How many officials have been impeached in Texas?
Ken Paxton is just the third official to be impeached in the state’s nearly 200-year history.
What happens if Paxton is removed from office?
Republican Governor Greg Abbott would appoint an interim replacement if Ken Paxton is removed from office.
