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In a recent development, Donald Trump, the former President, is asserting responsibility for Attorney General Ken Paxton’s exoneration.
On Monday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to assert that his intermittent social media defenses in support of his loyal ally played a significant role in influencing the outcome of Paxton’s impeachment trial.
Trump claimed that his involvement in TRUTH SOCIAL rescued Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton from being defeated by Democrats and certain Republicans, including Paul Ryan, Karl Rove, and others. He asserted that most of them regained their rationality after being presented with the facts.
Neither Republican had a formal role in the impeachment process, though Rove penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed prophesying Paxton’s demise.
Paxton was impeached over allegations that he abused his office to help Austin real estate investor Nate Paul in exchange for personal favors. The Texas House voted on a bipartisan basis to impeach Paxton in May.
However, Paxton’s impeachment trial concluded on Saturday, resulting in his acquittal on all 16 charges. Shortly after the verdict, Trump expressed his joy and commended Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the presiding officer of the Senate trial. He also urged for the removal of Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan. As the only president in U.S. history to be impeached twice, Trump disregarded the charges against Paxton, considering them as “political persecution.”
The former president made his sole public statement regarding the impeachment during the Senate trial. In May, when the House voted to impeach Paxton, Trump took to his social media platform to condemn the proceedings and vowed to take action against Republicans who opposed Paxton.
Paxton and Trump have long been closely aligned on policy, with the attorney general leading a lawsuit in 2020 to challenge the results of that year’s election in Trump’s favor. The Supreme Court swiftly threw out the lawsuit.
Paxton has also led a host of lawsuits against the Biden administration, ranging from attempting to toss the Affordable Care Act to challenging the constitutionality of a federal funding package. Trump also endorsed Paxton in his 2022 reelection primary, even as other Republicans including former U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, and former Land Commissioner George P. Bush courted the former president’s support.
Trump continued his Monday post, expressing gratitude for Ken’s exceptional service as an A.G. and expressing his satisfaction that Ken can now resume working for the amazing people of Texas. Trump also mentioned that he felt privileged to have contributed to rectifying the perceived injustice.
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