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On Friday, Karl Rove, a seasoned Republican strategist, asserted that Attorney General Ken Paxton bears sole responsibility for his impeachment.
Rove refuted Paxton’s recent claims of collusion with other Texas officials to initiate charges against him during the Texas Tribune Festival. Rove’s response comes just six days after Paxton was acquitted by the state Senate in his impeachment trial.
Rove admits, “I would love to take credit for initiating the investigation of Warren Kenneth Paxton, but I must give that recognition to Warren Kenneth Paxton himself.”
“He later mentioned that the gentleman struggles with keeping his zipper closed.”
Rove appeared to be alluding to claims that the attorney general had allegedly abused his position to assist his acquaintance and contributor, Nate Paul. These allegations suggest that Paxton granted favors, such as hiring a woman with whom he was involved in an extramarital relationship.
Rove mentioned that the tycoon received what he wanted in exchange for offering the girlfriend a job.
After his acquittal, Paxton went on a media blitz blasting a range of political enemies including Rove. The Austin-based strategist and former adviser to George W. Bush is no fan of Paxton, writing a column last month that suggested Paxton was likely to be convicted at trial.
During the festival, Rove openly expressed his sentiments towards Paxton without any reservation. He firmly stated that the blame for the impeachment falls entirely on Ken Paxton’s shoulders. Rove emphasized that Paxton’s audacious belief that he could burden the taxpayers of Texas with a hefty $3.3 million settlement, stemming from whistleblowers who exposed him to the FBI in 2020, is the root cause of this responsibility.
Rove clarified that the Senate does not function as an actual court. Despite their decision, he emphasized that public opinion will ensure accountability for this individual.
Rove further stated that the Democrats would not make the mistake of nominating someone who cannot pose a significant challenge to Paxton in his upcoming election.
Despite being up for reelection in 2026, Paxton has considered the possibility of challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, instead.
In his first election after the whistleblowers’ claims, Paxton emerged victorious for a third term, defeating Democrat Rochella Garza by a comfortable margin of 10 percentage points.
Paxton has consistently criticized Rove during his interviews after being acquitted, starting with his conversation with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Sharing the interview, Carlson expressed that Paxton was targeted for destruction by “liberals like Karl Rove.”
Rove stated that although he would like to take credit for it, the person who referred to him as a liberal clearly lacks knowledge about the current situation in Texas.
As The Texas Tribune’s signature event of the year, The Texas Tribune Festival brings Texans closer to politics, policy and the day’s news from Texas and beyond. Browse on-demand recordings and catch up on the biggest headlines from Festival events at the Tribune’s Festival news page.
