Texas House votes to impeach AG Paxton

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Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, flanked by his staff, makes a statement at his office in Austin, Texas, Friday. Associated Press/Photo by Eric Gay

The Texas House of Representatives voted 121-23 Saturday to impeach state Attorney General Ken Paxton on 20 articles of impeachment. The articles include accusations of bribery, abuse of office, and misleading officials. Paxton is suspended from office during the proceedings. The impeachment was initiated by Republican legislators who hold the majority in both houses. Paxton is also a Republican. A two-thirds vote in the state Senate would result in his removal from office. Paxton has many allies in the state Senate, including his wife, Senator Angela Paxton.

What does Paxton have to say? He has denied wrongdoing. The FBI has investigated Paxton for years over allegations that he used his office to assist a donor. He was also indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, although he hasn’t been tried yet. Paxton has called the proceedings against him “corrupt” and led by “corrupt politicians.”

Dig deeper: Read Mary Jackson’s report in Relations about Paxton’s defense of a Texas attempt to protect minors from transgender interventions.