Trump supporter charged
Texas legislature overthrows Attorney General
05/28/2023 04:42 am
Even the Republican majority in the Texas parliament does not help Attorney General Paxton against extensive allegations of corruption. The ardent Trump supporter is provisionally removed from office and charged. Only the ex-US President loudly supports him.
Republican Attorney General and Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton is indicted on corruption charges and provisionally impeached. The majority Republican legislature of the US state voted with a clear majority for a so-called impeachment. Paxton has been suspended from office until the Senate hearing. In the vote after several hours of debate, 121 MPs voted in favor of removing Paxton, 23 against, and two abstained. The result marked the surprise downfall of an ardent supporter of ex-President Donald Trump.
“The evidence is substantial. It’s alarming,” said Republican Congressman Andrew Murr. Despite the clear vote, Paxton was not clear: “What we just saw is illegal, unethical and deeply unfair,” Paxton said on Twitter. Trump said on his own online platform Truth Social that those who voted for Paxton’s impeachment were “radical left Democrats” and so-called RINOs – Republicans in name only. The ultra-conservative Paxton had repeatedly taken legal action against the policies of US President Joe Biden.
A parliamentary commission of inquiry unanimously approved 20 charges against Paxton on Thursday for corruption, misuse of public funds, false testimony and obstruction of justice. According to the indictment, Paxton pressured his associates to protect a friend and financier from prosecution. In return, the financier of one of Paxton’s extramarital affairs allegedly got a job and paid for work on Paxton’s home, according to the documents. It was initially unclear when the majority Republican Senate would put him on trial. A two-thirds majority is required for Paxton’s permanent impeachment.
Own employees complain about abuse of power
The outcome of the process is completely open. However, support for the 60-year-old has recently dwindled within his own Republican Party. Even Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declined to back him before the vote. Abbott, also a Trump supporter, must now temporarily name a representative for Paxton. Paxton pointed out on Friday that his office had sued President Biden’s administration nearly 50 times to reverse migration, tax and environmental policies.
He was appointed Attorney General and Attorney General in Texas in 2014. In 2015 he was charged with financial fraud. Although the process is ongoing, he was confirmed in office in 2018 and 2022. In 2020, members of his team had pointed out his abuse of power. They were fired and later sued against their wrongful dismissal. Earlier this year, Paxton settled the lawsuit by paying $3.3 million. His pleading with the state of Texas to foot the bill eventually led to the formation of a congressional investigative committee and a vote to impeach him.