Texas Senate Votes on Impeachment of Attorney General Paxton: 16 Articles Examined
The Texas Senate has commenced voting on the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton, deliberating on 16 articles of impeachment. This action comes after the House of Representatives voted in May to impeach Paxton on 16 out of 20 articles, ranging from bribery to abuse of public trust. The articles mainly focus on allegations that Paxton used his office to benefit wealthy donor Nate Paul, prompting eight of his top deputies to report him to the FBI in 2020.
The impeachment trial lasted nine days before being transferred to the Texas Senate for deliberation and voting. The Senate, consisting of 31 members, must garner a two-thirds majority, or 21 votes, in order to convict Paxton. If convicted, he will be removed from office, and a subsequent vote will determine whether he should be permanently barred from holding office, which also requires a two-thirds majority.
The 16 articles of impeachment cover a wide range of allegations against Paxton:
1. Disregard of Official Duty – Protection of Charitable Organization: Paxton is accused of directing his employees to intervene in a lawsuit, potentially harming a charitable organization in order to benefit a wealthy donor.
2. Disregard of Official Duty – Abuse of the Opinion Process: Paxton is accused of misusing his power to issue legal opinions, allegedly in favor of the donor.
3. Disregard of Official Duty – Abuse of the Open Records Process: Paxton is accused of interfering with a public records request related to a criminal investigation into the donor.
4. Disregard of Official Duty – Misuse of Official Information: Paxton is accused of using his power to obtain undisclosed information for the benefit of the donor.
5. Disregard of Official Duty – Engagement of Cammack: Paxton is accused of hiring an attorney to investigate a baseless complaint made by the donor.
6. Disregard of Official Duty – Termination of Whistleblowers: Paxton is accused of retaliating against employees who reported his alleged unlawful acts to law enforcement.
7. Misapplication of Public Resources – Whistleblower Investigation and Report: Paxton is accused of misusing public resources to conduct a sham investigation and publish a misleading report.
8. Disregard of Official Duty – Settlement Agreement: Paxton is accused of concealing his wrongdoing through a settlement that hindered a wrongful termination suit against him.
9. Constitutional Bribery – Paul’s Employment of Mistress: Paxton is accused of benefiting from a donor’s decision to hire someone, allegedly in exchange for favorable legal assistance.
10. Constitutional Bribery – Paul’s Providing Renovations to Paxton Home: Paxton is accused of receiving renovations to his home in exchange for favorable legal assistance.
11. False Statements in Official Records – Whistleblower Response Report: Paxton is accused of making false or misleading statements in a report issued in response to whistleblower allegations.
12. Conspiracy and Attempted Conspiracy: Paxton is accused of conspiring or attempting to conspire with others to commit acts described in the articles.
13. Misappropriation of Public Resources: Paxton is accused of misusing his powers by causing employees to perform services for his benefit.
14. Dereliction of Duty: Paxton is accused of violating the Texas Constitution and other statutes by engaging in acts described in the articles.
15. Unfitness for Office: Paxton is accused of engaging in misconduct that indicates his unfitness for office.
16. Abuse of Public Trust: Paxton is accused of using or misusing his powers to undermine the state government and obstruct justice.
The voting process will determine the fate of Attorney General Ken Paxton and have significant implications for the political landscape in Texas. As the Texas Senate considers each article of impeachment, the spotlight remains on the outcome and its potential impact on the state’s governance and public perception of its elected officials.
