Texas AG Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial is almost over. This is what happened and what’s next

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial is nearing its conclusion, with closing arguments scheduled to begin soon. This historic trial could potentially remove Paxton from office due to allegations of corruption. The case revolves around accusations that Paxton improperly used his office to protect Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who faced federal charges of making false statements to banks.

During the trial, senators heard from some of Paxton’s former top aides who reported their concerns about Paxton’s actions to the FBI. These concerns included alleged efforts to assist Paul, rumors of an extramarital affair, the use of burner phones, and disputes over the payment for kitchen countertops in Paxton’s home renovation project. In contrast, defense attorneys called current employees who testified in support of Paxton, asserting that they had witnessed no wrongdoing on his part.

Paxton was suspended from his office upon impeachment. If senators convict him on any of the 16 articles of impeachment, he will be permanently removed from office. However, if acquitted, he will return to his role as Attorney General.

Here is an overview of the key aspects of the trial:

The Evidence: The House Republican impeachment managers and Paxton’s defense team were given equal time to present evidence over the last two weeks. The House managers focused on building a corruption case against Paxton, calling former aides who expressed concerns about his relationship with Paul and his alleged extramarital affair with Lisa Olson. These aides had reported their concerns to the FBI, suggesting that Paxton’s actions were driven by personal motives. Notably, Lisa Olson, whose relationship was central to the bribery charge, was called as a witness but did not testify.

The Senate Jury: The impeachment trial jury consists of the 31-member Texas Senate, with 30 members eligible to determine Paxton’s fate. Angela Paxton, the Attorney General’s wife, is barred from voting due to her conflict of interest. To secure a conviction, Paxton would need a two-thirds majority, equivalent to 21 votes out of the 31 members present. Given the Senate’s 19-12 Republican majority, even if all Democrats vote to convict, they would still require nine Republican votes to reach the necessary majority.

What’s at Stake: Ken Paxton’s political career is at risk in this impeachment trial. If convicted, he could be removed from office and potentially barred from holding any elected position in Texas in the future. Paxton has gained national attention as a conservative figure, particularly for his support of Donald Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results. His defense has suggested a politically motivated plot against him, further highlighting the partisan divisions within the Texas Republican Party. Notably, Paxton’s impeachment is a rare event in Texas’ history, with only two other state officials impeached in nearly two centuries.

For more comprehensive coverage of the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, you can visit https://bigbignews.net/ken-paxton.

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• Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial: Visit this link for comprehensive coverage of Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial.
• Impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton: This is a placeholder link for additional information on the impeachment proceedings.
• Texas Senate: For details about the Texas Senate and its role as the jury in the impeachment trial.
• Corruption allegations: Learn more about the corruption allegations against Ken Paxton.
• Ken Paxton’s political career: Explore the political career of Ken Paxton and its significance.
• Texas Republican Party: Get insights into the impact of Paxton’s impeachment on the Texas Republican Party.