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Texas senators have acquitted Attorney General Ken Paxton on 16 articles of impeachment. Paxton was accused of misusing the powers of the attorney general’s office to help his friend and donor Nate Paul, an Austin real estate investor who was under federal investigation.
The House impeachment managers insisted that they proved their claims of bribery and corruption, arguing that the jury of 30 senators had no choice but to convict. Paxton’s defense team successfully argued that the case was full of holes, circumstantial evidence and misdirection.
Sen. Angela Paxton, the attorney general’s wife, was prohibited from participating in deliberations or voting.
Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial was the latest — and among the most consequential — battle in an ongoing civil war between the Texas GOP’s establishment members and a well-funded right wing that for years has claimed the party is insufficiently conservative.
Despite generally agreeing on policy issues and consistently passing socially conservative bills, the far-right faction of the party frequently accuses Texas House members of collaborating with Democrats to undermine conservative priorities.
Paxton has played a key role in that fight, and has used his office to back the issues favored by the state’s most conservative flank. In turn, he has received millions of dollars from ultraconservative donors such as oil tycoons Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks, who have buoyed his campaigns as his legal woes mounted, approval ratings dropped and other, more establishment donors invested elsewhere.
— Robert Downen
Opposing sides in Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial lashed out in the moments after senators voted Saturday to send the embattled attorney general back to his job.
Defense attorney Dan Cogdell expressed his disbelief at the necessity of going through such a situation, referring to the bipartisan House-led impeachment as a farce. He emphasized that this unfortunate event should never have taken place.
House impeachment managers, who led the charge to remove Paxton, expressed their disagreement by stating in a separate press conference at the Capitol that the vote to acquit was the decision that warranted criticism.
“Managers presented overwhelming evidence that Ken Paxton is the most corrupt politician in the state of Texas at this time,” said Rep. Ann Johnson, a Houston Democrat and vice chair of the House team. “And the Republicans in the Texas Senate just returned him to the office of top cop.”
— Karen Brooks Harper and Robert Downen
Texans across the state on Saturday reacted to the news of Ken Paxton’s acquittal with disappointment, blaming political polarization, or pleasure, saying the evidence fell short of convicting the attorney general.
When the Paxton verdict was announced, Louis DeAngelis, a 29-year-old video production worker from Austin, was at the Texas Capitol with a companion from Massachusetts. DeAngelis expressed his belief that the verdict highlighted how individuals in positions of authority are often exempted from the same level of accountability as the general public.
Maurice Torano, a 57-year-old resident of Odessa in West Texas, expressed his extreme delight upon hearing about Paxton’s exoneration. Torano believed that the prosecution team lacked substantial evidence and viewed their actions as a disgrace to the Legislature. He firmly stated, “This whole situation is a fraudulent mockery.”
— Keaton Peters
Senate Democrats, disappointed by the acquittal of Attorney General Ken Paxton, accused their Republican colleagues of caving to political pressure, while many of the Republicans who voted against conviction said the House failed to prove its case.
“Simply put, the burden of proof — beyond a reasonable doubt — was not met,” state Sen. Charles Schwertner, a Georgetown Republican, said in a statement released after voting ended in the historic impeachment trial on Saturday.
Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, rejected that argument from Republicans, instead blaming the failure to impeach on “outside influence placed on members.”
Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, described the roughly eight hours of deliberations as “intense,” noting that some senators switched into tennis shoes in preparation for a long process. He said many GOP senators were engaged in good-faith discussions about the evidence.
“It saddens and drains me because I perceive no change in their actions,” expressed Johnson. “The outcome remains unaffected.”
— Kate McGee and Neelam Bohra
Former President Donald Trump congratulated Attorney General Ken Paxton for beating the impeachment charges against him Saturday — and called on the GOP leader of the Texas House to resign.
“Congratulations to Attorney General Ken Paxton on a great and historic Texas sized VICTORY,” Trump wrote Saturday afternoon on his social media platform Truth Social. “I also want to congratulate his wonderful wife and family for having had to go through this ordeal, and WINNING!”
Trump praised Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presided over the trial as judge, and Republican senators for rescuing Paxton, long a Trump loyalist. Trump turned his ire on House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Beaumont Republican who has often feuded with Trump ally Patrick.
Trump wrote, “Speaker Dade Phelan must step down now for his role in promoting this disgraceful sham!”
— Joshua Fechter
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, congratulated Attorney General Ken Paxton for beating the impeachment charges against him Saturday.
“Congrats to [Paxton] on being acquitted of every single article of impeachment,” Cruz wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This was the right outcome, consistent with the will of the voters. I look forward to seeing Paxton back in office, continuing to serve as the most effective conservative AG in America.”
Gov. Greg Abbott, who has been quiet about his feelings on the impeachment trial, struck a neutral tone in a prepared statement following Paxton’s acquittal: “The jury has spoken.”
Republicans in the Texas Legislature took to social media to celebrate Paxton’s acquittal — many praising the Senate’s push under Patrick to kill the effort while lambasting the House Republican-backed impeachment effort.
— Joshua Fechter
In an interview after Saturday’s Senate vote, state Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, called on House Speaker Dade Phelan to resign “right now.” Toth, a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, voted against Ken Paxton’s impeachment in May.
Toth expressed his disappointment, stating, “The Texas House owes a sincere apology to the entire state of Texas. This was nothing but a deceptive charade.”
Toth further added that the Texas GOP has been adversely affected by the ongoing process, as it has long been plagued by internal conflicts between its far-right and moderately conservative factions, both of which hold strong conservative values.
He expressed his concern over the severe damage caused to the Republican Party of Texas by those House members who supported impeachment. Prior to the vote, these individuals were explicitly cautioned about the potential consequences. He strongly believes that the voters will seek retribution as a result.
Toth was uncertain about the implications of Saturday’s vote regarding the deepening divide between the Texas Senate and House, stating, “I cannot say for sure. The situation is quite chaotic.”
— Robert Downen
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick broke his personal silence Saturday on Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment after the Senate voted for acquittal, blasting the House’s impeachment process as deeply flawed.
“After the verdict was finalized, Patrick expressed his dissatisfaction from the dais, criticizing the speaker and his team for swiftly pushing through the first impeachment of a statewide official in Texas in over a century without considering the precedent set by the House in previous impeachments.”
Patrick, serving as the trial’s presiding officer and effectively acting as the judge, became a topic of intense speculation due to his personal sentiments on the matter. Although he received commendation for his handling of specific aspects, such as the implementation of trial rules, his decision to accept a $3 million contribution from a pro-Paxton organization in late June came under close scrutiny.
Patrick started his speech by recognizing that he had been exceptionally silent in the past few months out of respect for his position. However, he then expressed his strong discontent towards the House for abruptly imposing the impeachment on the Senate during the final stages of the regular session.
— Patrick Svitek
As Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw read aloud the votes acquitting Republican Attorney Ken Paxton on 16 impeachment articles — and a vote to dismiss the remaining four articles — the only sound in the gallery was the chirp of crickets, pouring rain and the occasional roar of thunder.
Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, sat with a blank expression as she took notes and occasionally looked up at the gallery.
The verdict was delivered in the absence of Ken Paxton.
Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing him, sat in the chamber, attentively observing as his client was acquitted by the Senate. The gallery, which had been sparsely occupied since the trial’s inception, now had a moderate presence of tourists and political spectators. As the vote took place, the House managers maintained a solemn demeanor.
Former Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore sat alongside whistleblowers David Maxwell, Ryan Vassar, and Blake Brickman in the gallery, wearing solemn expressions as they witnessed the Senate reinstating their ex-employer to his previous position.
Sen. Paxton glanced at her staffer seated discreetly at the rear of the chamber, following the completion of the impeachment votes.
Afterwards, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick ripped the House’s impeachment, calling on the Legislature to amend a “flawed” process. Democratic state Sens. Sarah Eckhardt and Roland Gutierrez walked out during his comments.
After the Senate adjourned, Sen. Paxton packed up her bag and hugged Republican state Sen. Bob Hall and her husband’s lawyers before leaving the chamber.
The crickets were the most prominent sound in the room.
— Kate McGee
Suspended attorney general Ken Paxton was not present in the Senate chamber as the senators have filed in to vote on the articles of impeachment in his trial.
Paxton made an appearance on Friday during the closing arguments and was also present on the initial day of the trial, where his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
— Kate McGee
After more than eight hours of private deliberations, senators have concluded their discussions on the 16 articles of impeachment against suspended attorney general Ken Paxton.
According to the Texas Senate website, the anticipated commencement of voting on each article was set for 10:30 a.m. However, it experienced a delay and got pushed back to 11:10 a.m.
For Paxton’s conviction and removal from office to occur, a minimum of 21 senators must provide their support on any given article.
Paxton made an appearance on Friday morning during the closing arguments, marking his first attendance at the trial since it commenced on September 5th, when his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf. Whether he will be present for the votes remains uncertain.
– Kate McGee
Senators are returning to the Capitol on Saturday morning to resume deliberations in the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who is presiding over the trial, told senators to deliberate between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, or until they’ve reached a verdict. If they do not reach a verdict on Saturday, senators are required to return Sunday at noon. Patrick said he would consider sequestering the senators at the Capitol if they do not reach a verdict by 8 p.m. Sunday.
Once a verdict is reached, Patrick said they will give a 30-minute notice before starting a vote on the Senate floor on whether to convict or acquit on 16 articles of impeachment.
– Kate McGee
After more than six hours of deliberation in the impeachment trial of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton, senators left the Capitol late Saturday without reaching a final verdict.
Senators were instructed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to engage in deliberations until a minimum of 8 p.m. this afternoon. They are anticipated to reconvene on Saturday at 9 a.m. to resume their deliberations.
– Kate McGee
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