Summary:
- The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has come to a close, with all articles of impeachment dismissed.
- Twenty-one yeas were needed in order to convict Paxton, but the highest amount of yeas for any article was just 14.
- Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick criticized the Texas House for how the trial played out, while Speaker of the House Dave Phelan expressed concern over Patrick's bias and contempt for the House.
- Paxton still faces a state case of securities fraud, but his attorney expects the trial to happen next year.
Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas, has been acquitted of all charges of impeachment brought against him.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Acquitted by Senate Jury
After nearly two weeks of witness testimony and deliberation in the Senate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been acquitted of all articles of impeachment leveled against him. Paxton now returns to office as the highest elected attorney in the state.
The Senate Dismisses All Articles of Impeachment Against Paxton
The Senate debated from noon Friday into the evening hours before returning to the Capitol on Saturday morning for more deliberations. Voting began at around 11 a.m. For a conviction, 21 yeas were needed, but the jury was never close to reaching that mark. The highest amount of yeas for any article was just 14. There were four articles that were not voted on, as they were formally dismissed by the Senate at the end of the proceedings.
Republican Senators Voted Ye on Certain Articles
Although there were a few Republicans who voted ye on certain articles, it was not enough to reach the 21 yeas required for conviction. In his closing remarks, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick criticized the Texas House for how the impeachment trial played out.
Disappointment in Texas House's Handling of Impeachment Articles
According to Patrick, had the House members who voted for impeachment followed instruction, the impeachment trial would not have happened. He noted that the House set no precedent, as the vote to send the articles of impeachment against the Attorney General to the Senate happened in only a few days with virtually no time for 150 members to even study the articles.
Speaker of the House Responds After Impeachment Trial
Texas Speaker of the House Dave Phelan also released a statement after the impeachment trial, expressing disappointment in Lieutenant Governor Patrick's criticisms of the House. Phelan noted that Patrick attacked the House for standing up against corruption.
Attorney General Paxton Reinstated to Office
The Senate's decision to acquit Paxton means that he has been officially reinstated as the state's highest elected attorney. After the trial, Paxton noted that it should not have been necessary to prove his innocence, but he is glad that the court read the right verdict.
The Trial Centered on Allegations of Abuse of Power and Bribery
The trial centered on allegations of abuse of power and bribery, mostly involving Nate Paul, an Austin real estate developer who was Paxton's donor and friend. In the end, the majority of the senators were not convinced.
Speaker of the House: Paxton Not Out of the Woods Yet
Speaker of the House Dave Phelan notes that Paxton still faces a state case regarding two counts of securities fraud. Paxton's attorney, Dan Cogdell, expects this trial to happen sometime next year. Phelan suggests that if new facts continue to come out, those who allowed Paxton to keep his office will have much to answer for.
House Impeachment Managers Stand by Factual Evidence
Regardless of the outcome, the House impeachment managers stand by the factual evidence that they presented during the trial. They note that they followed the rules and ethics of the House impeachment process.
Conclusion
Although the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has come to a close, he is not out of the woods yet. The acquittal by the Senate jury means that he has been officially reinstated as the state's highest elected attorney, but he still faces a state case regarding two counts of securities fraud. Meanwhile, the House impeachment managers stand by the factual evidence presented during the trial.
Despite his acquittal, Paxton still faces a state case of securities fraud which is expected to go to trial next year.