Summary:
- Ken Paxton's acquittal means he will likely return to his position as Texas Attorney General and continue pursuing his agenda.
- There may be some fallout from the impeachment process, including possible hurt feelings and House members still scoring from Paxton's comments.
- Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has suggested amending the Constitution to address issues that arose during the impeachment process, but constitutional attorney David Cole believes leaving a broad set of guidelines is more effective.
- The impeachment process in Texas, like in other states, tends to break down along political lines, even though many had hoped it would not be the case this time around.
- Lessons can be learned from this impeachment process, but Cole believes the Constitution itself is not the place to make revisions for future crises that may be entirely different than the current situation.
Following the impeachment acquittal of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, there are questions about what comes next for his political career, as well as what lessons can be learned from the impeachment process.
What's Next for Ken Paxton After Impeachment Acquittal?
Hurt Feelings and Fallout Expected After Acquittal
After being acquitted of charges of bribery and abuse of power, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is expected to return to office with renewed energy to pursue his agenda. However, there may be some hurt feelings and fallout to be dealt with following the impeachment trial. According to constitutional law attorney David Cole, there are some things to be learned from this experience that could contribute to a smoother proceeding in the future. But he also acknowledges that the issues involved in any future impeachment trial are likely to be different from those faced in this case.
Lessons Learned from Impeachment
Cole suggests that there are several lessons to be learned from the impeachment of Ken Paxton. For example, the Fifth Amendment was at issue in this trial, and there were difficulties surrounding its assertion. Cole points out that there are ways to address these issues in the Constitution, but warns that amending the Constitution to deal with specific issues may not be the best approach. Instead, he advocates for leaving a record of best practices and lessons learned that can be consulted by future generations.
Political Pressure and Partisan Divisions in Texas
The impeachment trial of Ken Paxton highlighted the political pressures and partisan divisions that exist in Texas politics. Although there was some hope that the trial would not break down along party lines, this was not ultimately the case. Republicans were involved in generating the Articles of Impeachment, but when it came time to vote, party lines prevailed. This pattern is consistent with what has been seen in impeachment trials in other states in recent years.
Constitutional Framework and Lessons for the Future
In Cole's view, the Constitution is not the place to make revisions to deal with the next crisis that might arise 50 years from now. Instead, he advocates for creating a record of best practices and lessons learned that can be accessed by future generations. The constitutional framework is designed to provide broad outlines, and it is up to each generation to deal with the specific issues that arise during their time.
Overall, the impeachment trial of Ken Paxton has been a historic moment in Texas politics, and it has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in government. As Texas moves forward, it will be important to build on the lessons learned during this trial to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the benefits of a free and democratic society.
Regardless, this historic moment in Texas politics has left a mark on the state's political landscape.