Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Absolved of Corruption Allegations in Landmark Impeachment Trial

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On Saturday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was exonerated in a monumental impeachment trial that revealed schisms among Republicans about whether to oust a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, who has been enmeshed in multiple controversies and legal disputes for years. The Senate Republicans, including Paxton’s wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, unanimously voted in his favor, fortifying his political position in the largest red state in America and marking a victory for the far-right wing of the Texas Republican Party.

Although State Senator Angela Paxton was in attendance throughout the two-week trial, she was precluded from voting. The Senate, however, overwhelmingly voted to acquit Paxton on 16 impeachment articles that leveled allegations of misconduct, bribery, and corruption against him.

Paxton, largely absent from the courtroom proceedings, released a forceful statement in the wake of the verdict. In it, he lambasted his Republican detractors who had initiated his impeachment process in the Texas House back in May. “Today, the truth prevailed. The efforts of opportunistic politicians and their influential allies could not suppress the truth,” Paxton stated. “The quest for truth has been achieved.”

The Senate additionally voted to dismiss four impeachment articles that had not been deliberated during the trial. This decision allows Paxton to resume his duties as the chief legal officer of Texas, more than three months after he had to temporarily relinquish his position due to the impeachment procedures.

Despite the acquittal, Paxton continues to grapple with multiple legal challenges. He is yet to be tried on felony securities fraud charges, is the subject of a separate FBI inquiry, and faces the risk of disbarment in Texas over his unfounded efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

The jury, consisting of 30 senators, deliberated for approximately eight hours behind closed doors prior to the decisive vote. Presiding over the trial was Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a former conservative radio host from Houston, who had been circumspect about his views on the case until its conclusion. Following the verdict, Patrick launched a scathing critique of the impeachment process, claiming that it had been hastily executed by the Texas House, and vowed to push for constitutional amendments to prevent similar episodes in the future.

Among those present in the Senate gallery were three of Paxton’s former deputies who had reported him to the FBI in 2020 and served as key witnesses for the prosecution. Their reactions were inscrutable as Paxton was absolved on Article 6, which related to the termination of whistleblowers.

The trial has been a defining crucible for Paxton and the Republican Party in Texas. It has exposed underlying fractures within the party and posed serious questions about the integrity of public office. Closing arguments from the impeachment managers depicted Paxton as a corrupt figure who ought to be removed. Paxton’s legal team, led by attorney Tony Buzbee, vehemently rebutted these claims and presented the impeachment as a politically motivated vendetta, orchestrated by rivals within the GOP.

At the core of the impeachment case were allegations that Paxton had abused his position to assist a political donor, Austin-based real estate developer Nate Paul, who himself faces charges of false statements to banks but has pleaded not guilty. Eight former deputies had set off a federal investigation into Paxton, which remains ongoing irrespective of the impeachment trial’s outcome.

The defense argued that the charges were either unsubstantiated or failed to meet the criteria of ‘beyond a reasonable doubt,’ while the prosecution laid out meticulous evidence and testimonies from the deputies who had reported Paxton to the FBI.

Beyond this impeachment trial, Paxton still confronts a range of legal complications, including federal investigations stemming from similar allegations, a pending state securities fraud case dating back to 2015, and disciplinary actions over his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

This report includes contributions from Big Big News writers Jake Bleiberg in Dallas and Jim Vertuno in Austin.

For comprehensive coverage on the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, visit Big Big News’ dedicated page.

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