Texas House Impeaches Attorney General Ken Paxton

Today we’re going to talk about the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton by the Texas House of Representatives. What did he do to deserve this? How does the impeachment process work in Texas? And what are the chances of him being convicted and removed from office by the Texas Senate? We’ll explore these questions and more in this episode of Uncivil Law.

Ken Paxton is the top law enforcement official in Texas, but he’s also facing multiple legal troubles of his own. He’s been indicted on securities fraud charges since 2015, and is also accused of abusing his office to help a wealthy donor. Paxton is under investigation by the FBI for alleged bribery and corruption. He’s also been sued by several former employees who claim he retaliated against them for reporting his misconduct. And he’s been one of the most vocal supporters of former President Trump’s claims of election fraud, even filing a lawsuit against four other states that was rejected by the US Supreme Court.

All these scandals have finally caught up with him, as the Texas House voted to impeach him. The impeachment resolution accuses him of violating his oath of office, betraying the public trust, and committing high crimes and misdemeanors. The resolution cites his securities fraud indictment and his abuse of power allegations among 20 total grounds as grounds for impeachment.

The impeachment process in Texas is similar to the federal one, but with some differences. The Texas House has the sole power of impeachment, and it requires a simple majority vote to impeach an official. The Texas Senate then conducts a trial,. It takes a two-thirds vote of the senators present to convict and remove an official from office. The Senate can also disqualify an official from holding any future office in Texas.

The chances of Paxton being convicted and removed from office is questionable, given the political realities in Texas. The Texas Senate is currently controlled by Republicans, who have a 19-12 majority over Democrats. Paxton still has some loyal supporters within his party, who see him as a conservative champion and a victim of political persecution. He also has the backing of some influential groups, such as the Texas Republican Party, the National Rifle Association, and the Texas Right to Life. He has vowed to fight the impeachment charges and clear his name.

However, he also faces some challenges and risks. Some Republicans have expressed their dissatisfaction with his performance and conduct, and have called for his resignation or removal. Some have even endorsed his primary challenger George P. Bush, the son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the grandson of former President George H.W. Bush. Paxton also has to deal with his ongoing criminal cases and investigations, which could result in more evidence or charges against him. And he has to contend with public opinion, which may turn against him as more details emerge about his alleged wrongdoing.

In this episode of Uncivil Law, we’ll analyze the impeachment resolution against Paxton, examine the legal arguments for and against his impeachment and removal, and discuss the implications and consequences of this historic event for Texas politics and law. Join me as we learn through the misfortunes of others.

In Texas, two officials have been successfully impeached -- Governor James Ferguson in 1917 and Judge O.P. Carillo in 1975.

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