Dan Patrick, a Republican and leader of the Senate, did not respond to requests for comment. Abbott's office did not respond to requests for comment on the impeachment counts.įinal removal would require two-thirds support in the Senate, where Paxton’s wife’s, Angela, is a member. Greg Abbott could appoint an interim replacement.
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Unlike in Congress, impeachment in Texas requires immediate removal from office until a trial is held in the Senate. Andrew Murr, the Republican chair of the investigative committee, said he did not have a timeline and Phelan’s office declined to comment. The timing of a vote by the House is unclear.
They deal heavily with Paxton's alleged efforts to protect the donor from an FBI investigation and his attempts to thwart whistleblower complaints brought by his own staff.
The articles of impeachment issued by the investigative committee, which include three Republicans and two Democrats, stem largely from Paxton’s relationship with one of his wealthy donors. Since the prospect of impeachment suddenly emerged Wednesday, none of Texas' other top Republicans have voiced support for Paxton. It’s unclear how many supporters Paxton may have in the House, where he served five terms before becoming a state senator. Impeachment requires a majority vote of the state’s usually 150-member House chamber, which Republicans now control 85-64, since a GOP representative resigned ahead of an expected vote to expel him. “It's is a sad day for Texas as we witness the corrupt political establishment unite in this illegitimate attempt to overthrow the will of the people and disenfranchise the voters of our state,” Paxton said in a statement Thursday, calling the committee’s findings “hearsay and gossip, parroting long-disproven claims.”īy moving against him, Paxton said, “The RINOs in the Texas Legislature are now on the same side as Joe Biden.” Phelan’s office brushed off the accusation as Paxton attempting to “save face.” He called for Phelan’s resignation and accused him of being drunk during a marathon session last Friday. When the five-member committee's investigation came to light Tuesday, Paxton suggested it was a political attack by the House's “liberal” Republican speaker, Dade Phelan. He was separately indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, but has yet to stand trial. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor. Only two officials in Texas’ nearly 200-year history have been impeached. Supreme Court to overturn President Joe Biden's victory.
The move sets up what could be a remarkably sudden downfall for one of the GOP's most prominent legal combatants, who in 2020 asked the U.S. If it impeaches Paxton, he would be forced to leave office immediately. The House could vote on the recommendation as soon as Friday. In an unanimous decision, a Republican-led House investigative committee that spent months quietly looking into Paxton recommended impeaching the state's top lawyer on 20 articles, including bribery, unfitness for office and abuse of public trust. AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton teetered on the brink of impeachment Thursday after years of scandal, criminal charges and corruption accusations that the state's Republican majority had largely met with silence until now.
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