Texas Attorney General Temporarily Removed from Office on Corruption Charges
Texas Attorney General Forced to Step Down The Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, has been impeached and removed from office due to corruption charges. The largely Republican state legislature voted overwhelmingly in favor of Paxton’s impeachment, with 121 out of 146 voting for his removal.
Serious Charges Against Paxton Paxton faces charges of bribery, abuse of trust, and incompetence. He is accused of pressuring his employees to protect a friend and donor from legal prosecution in exchange for personal benefits, including employment for the donor’s lover and payment for repairs on Paxton’s house.
Paxton’s Defiant Response Despite overwhelming evidence of wrongdoing and the strong vote for his impeachment, Paxton has refused to concede, tweeting that the proceedings were “illegal, unethical, and deeply unfair.” Former President Trump has backed Paxton, labeling those who voted for his impeachment as “radical left Democrats” and “RINOs.”
A History of Controversy Paxton has faced multiple legal challenges throughout his three terms as Texas Attorney General, including an ongoing FBI investigation. His staunch support for former President Trump and his opposition to the policies of current President Biden have made him a controversial figure in Texas politics.
Future Uncertainty While Paxton has been temporarily removed from office, his ultimate impeachment and conviction require a two-thirds majority in the Texas Senate, where his wife Angela is a member. Despite some continuing support from Republican loyalists, Paxton’s scandalous past may have eroded his overall support. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott is charged with appointing a temporary replacement for Paxton until the matter is fully resolved.