Global Courant 2023-05-30 05:33:51
The Texas House of Representatives delivered articles of impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton to the Senate on Monday.
The delivery came after the GOP-led House named the board of directors — made up of five Democrats and seven Republicans — that will oversee the impeachment process. Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, leads the board, That reports the Dallas Morning News.
FILE: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference in Dallas on June 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The House passed 20 articles of impeachment based on sweeping allegations of misconduct against Paxton that have dogged the state’s top attorney for years, including abuse of office and bribery. The vote immediately suspended Paxton from office.
Among those opposed to the impeachment was State Representative Brian Harrison. He argued that the House leadership “made no attempt to adequately document (Paxton’s) guilt, nor to show that this is anything other than the sham of a political enemy.”
The House needed only a simple majority of its 149 members to impeach Paxton, and the final vote of 121 to 23 was a landslide. But the threshold for conviction in the Senate trial is higher, requiring a two-thirds majority of the 31 members.
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If that happens, Paxton would be permanently barred from holding office in Texas. Anything less means that Paxton is acquitted and can resume his third term as attorney general.
Later on Monday, the Senate unanimously passed a measure calling for the trial to begin no later than August 28.
Paxton bitterly criticized the chamber’s investigation as “corrupt”, classified, and conducted so quickly that he and his lawyers were not allowed to make a defense. He also called Dade, Speaker of the Republican House, a “liberal.”
The AG’s office tweeted on Saturday that the impeachment was based on “totally false allegations”.
“After an internal investigation, the OAG engaged an outside law firm to investigate further, which resulted in a report. The OAG offered it to the House, but they declined,” the AG’s office said.
The impeachment charges include bribery in connection with one of Paxton’s donors, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who allegedly employed the woman he had an extramarital affair with in exchange for legal counsel.
Another Republican senator with potential conflict is Senator Bryan Hughes. The House impeachment articles accuse Paxton of using Hughes as a “straw petitioner” for a legal opinion used to protect Paul from foreclosure on several properties.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is expected to set a trial date in the Senate and appoint committee members to establish rules that will govern impeachment proceedings. The Senate ultimately decides whether Paxton will remain in office. Patrick, President of the Senate, will preside as judge.
“Today the Texan Senate received the articles of impeachment for Attorney General Ken Paxton,” Patrick tweeted. “The Senate will fulfill its constitutional duty and I have appointed a committee to develop proposed rules and procedures for the matter.”
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Fox News Digital has contacted Phelan, Murr and Paxton for further comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues and much more.
