Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been acquitted of all charges in a historic impeachment trial that divided Republicans on whether to remove him from his position as a powerful advocate for former President Donald Trump. The verdict reaffirmed Paxton’s strength in Texas and is considered a victory for the more conservative faction of the party.
Despite facing allegations of misconduct, bribery, and corruption, Paxton was cleared of all charges by Republican senators. His wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, attended the trial but was not allowed to vote. The verdict allows Paxton to resume his role as the top lawyer in Texas, but he still faces other legal challenges.
Paxton is set to stand trial on securities fraud charges and is under investigation by the FBI. He also risks losing his ability to practice law in Texas due to his baseless attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. While the impeachment trial has ended in Paxton’s favor, his troubles are far from over.
The trial exposed divisions within the Republican Party, with some Republicans pushing for Paxton’s removal due to allegations of abuse of his office. However, Paxton’s defense attorney portrayed the impeachment trial as a politically orchestrated witch hunt by rival Republicans.
The case against Paxton centered around accusations that he used his office to help a donor who was charged with making false statements to banks. Despite the acquittal, Paxton still faces ongoing federal investigations and state charges.
The outcome of the impeachment trial is considered a significant moment for Texas Republicans and highlights the divisions within the party as the 2024 elections approach.
Sources: Associated Press
Sources:
– Associated Press