Texas lawmakers recommend impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton after Republican investigation
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recommended for impeachment
After a string of past and more current allegations, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is now at risk of losing his job. Moments ago a state House Ethics Committee voted unanimously to recommend Paxton be impeached. FOX 26 Political Reporter Greg Groogan tells us what's going on.
Turbulent days ahead for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the subject of a three-month ethics probe by the Texas House.
On Wednesday, a panel of non-partisan investigators reported there is strong evidence the State's top law enforcement officer actually broke the laws against abuse of office, bribery and retaliation.
Investigators detail years of alleged misconduct by Texas AG Ken Paxton in stunning House committee hearing - Part 1
The Texas House General Investigating Committee heard stunning testimony from investigators Wednesday, May 24, over allegations of misconduct and questionable actions by Attorney General Ken Paxton, the result of a probe the committee had secretly authorized in March. Watch and listen as the investigators methodically testify to the Committee that they believe Ken Paxton broke multiple state laws.
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On Thursday, the House General Investigating Committee voted unanimously to send articles of impeachment to the full House.
Investigators detail years of alleged misconduct by Texas AG Ken Paxton in stunning House committee hearing- Part 2
Part Two of the public hearing of the Texas House General Investigating Committee, where investigators methodically revealed the results of their months-long investigation into Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Those allegations coming after Paxton accused House Speaker Dade Phelan of presiding over the lower chamber while "intoxicated."
According to Quorum Report's Scott Braddock, House leadership is moving rapidly to hold Paxton accountable.
Investigators detail years of alleged misconduct by Texas AG Ken Paxton in stunning House committee hearing - Part 3
Part 3 of the Texas House General Investigating Committee's hearing on allegations against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton focuses on the Mitte Foundation, an Austin non-profit involved in a legal dispute with Paxton contributor Nate Paul.
"As soon as Saturday, the Texas House could take up articles of impeachment against the Attorney General, and if they do that it's a simple majority of the House to impeach," said Braddock.
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Gaining a House majority would require Speaker Dade Phelan find at least a dozen GOP members willing to vote against their fellow Republican who has survived politically nearly a decade under criminal indictment for securities fraud.
"If Republican House members vote for articles of impeachment without political cover from the Governor or Lt. Governor, they are inviting a very serious primary challenge in March of 2024 and one they might lose. Unless you really have all the Republican elites say, this is the time for Paxton to go than you are taking a big risk as a Republican lawmaker," said Rice Political analyst Mark Jones.
And in a genuinely bizarre twist to a week filled with heated allegations, a mysterious dumpster fire broke out just outside the Attorney General's Office.
In the Texas House, impeachment requires a simple majority vote of the 150 members.
If that occurs, Attorney General Paxton would then face a trial in the Texas Senate where his wife serves. A two-thirds vote in the upper chamber would be required for conviction and removal from office.
With just three days left in the regular session, impeachment proceedings may be scheduled after the final gavel falls.
"The House can act at anytime the Speaker chooses when it comes to articles of impeachment. The Texas Constitution says the Speaker can convene the House for that purpose. The Governor does not have to call them into session for that," said Braddock.