Texas Attorney General Paxton Requests Dismissal of Impeachment Articles
Lawyers for suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have requested the dismissal of 19 out of the 20 articles of impeachment against him. In two motions filed with the Texas Senate’s court of impeachment, Paxton’s attorneys argued that the majority of the articles are based on allegations of wrongdoing that occurred before his current term in office. His defense team claims that Senate rules do not permit the removal of public officials for acts committed before their current term. Paxton, a conservative backed by former President Donald Trump, faces accusations including improperly aiding a wealthy political donor, conducting a sham investigation against office whistleblowers whom he fired, and covering up his wrongdoing in a separate federal securities fraud case. His impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on September 5. Paxton’s legal team argues that the articles of impeachment do not introduce new allegations, as they are things that Texas voters have heard from his political opponents over the years. They believe that removing him from office would undermine the will of the voters. Paxton has been temporarily suspended from his role, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed Angela Colmenero as interim attorney general.
