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A road trip to Austin to attend an Arctic Monkeys concert became a rare chance for Texas A&M political science majors Sophia Lopez and Allison Dominguez to watch a live historic moment on Saturday: the impeachment vote of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton at the Texas Capitol.
By the time they reached the Capitol, the senators in attendance had already voted to acquit Paxton on 16 articles of impeachment, clearing Paxton of accusations that he had engaged in official misconduct including taking bribes from real estate developer and campaign donor, Nate Paul.
Paxton’s wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, attended the trial but did not cast a vote.
However, the two Aggies arrived in time to witness lawmakers conducting press conferences and engaging in discussions about the two-week trial proceedings and the subsequent verdict of acquittal. This verdict now grants Paxton the permission to resume his work.
Lopez, who is 18, and Dominguez, who is 19, were concerned that the acquittal of Paxton might have a negative impact on the reputation of the Texas government nationwide.
Lopez remarked that it was evident that he had done something wrong, which Dominguez concurred with.
She expressed her sadness over their decision to simply let it go.
Capitol visitor Marshal Atwater, aged 35, arrived on Saturday to attend a concert outside the Texas Senate chamber in the rotunda. Expressing his lack of surprise, he mentioned that the Senate’s Republican majority members are firmly entrenched in their ideological beliefs. Atwater believes that the acquittal reflects the polarized nature of the world we currently live in.
When the Paxton verdict was delivered, Louis DeAngelis, a 29-year-old video production worker from Austin, was at the Texas Capitol accompanied by a friend from Massachusetts. DeAngelis expressed his belief that the verdict highlighted the unequal treatment of individuals in positions of power compared to the general public.
As he observed the vote from the gallery above the Texas Senate floor, Matthew McCoy, a 22-year-old government major at the University of Texas, expressed his disappointment but lack of surprise. McCoy, who serves as the communications director of the University of Texas Democrats, closely monitored the verdict on Paxton’s future.
Texans from all corners of the state, far from Austin, responded to the conclusion of the trial with a mix of disappointment or relief, knowing that Paxton would resume his position as attorney general, which he has occupied since 2015.
Tracy Chargois, a 59-year-old resident of Houston, expressed her deep involvement in politics following the 2016 election and her close attention to the trial. The outcome of the acquittal did not come as a surprise to her. According to Tracy, the focus seemed to be more on political motives rather than seeking the truth. She firmly believed that party affiliation and power played a significant role in the trial’s proceedings. Tracy voiced her dissatisfaction with the Senate’s failure to fulfill their obligations, stating that they were not adequately performing their duties.
In Houston, Sheryl Johnson shared that she and her family had been closely following the trial. Expressing her disappointment with the outcome, the 59-year-old described Texas politics as “garbage,” attributing this to the prevalent “good old buddy system” where change is not welcomed.
Maurice Torano, a 57-year-old resident of Odessa in West Texas, expressed his joy upon learning of Paxton’s exoneration. Torano firmly believed that the prosecution team lacked substantial evidence and viewed their actions as a disgrace to the Legislature. He described the entire ordeal as a deceptive charade.
A different resident of Odessa, who preferred to be called “Traci S.,” expressed her relief that Paxton had been exonerated and could resume his position. The 61-year old individual drew a parallel between Paxton’s trial and the multiple criminal accusations made against former President Donald Trump, stating that the Democrats were engaging in similar actions against both individuals. Traci S. believed that Paxton had been performing his duties effectively.
Rico Chávez, a 43-year-old resident of Odessa, held a contrasting opinion. He firmly believed in Paxton’s guilt and expressed his disappointment with the verdict. According to Rico, individuals in positions of power often enjoy certain privileges that regular citizens do not have access to. He further believed that the government tends to turn a blind eye towards criminal activities, which contributes to the prevailing corruption.
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