Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was impeached in May and faced the 16 articles in a Texas State Senate trial on Saturday.
Paxton was initially impeached on a vote of 121-23. Unusually, the five-member committee that led the investigation against him was made up of Republicans.
In 2020, top aides accused Paxton of misusing his office to help real estate developer Nate Paul prove an elaborate conspiracy to steal $200 million of his properties, which was ultimately never proven. The FBI searched Paul’s home but never charged him or accused him of wrongdoing.
Still, the impeachment articles accused Paxton of trying to interfere in foreclosure lawsuits and issuing opinions to benefit Paul. The Texas State House also unveiled new evidence last month relating to a fake Uber account he shared with Paul.
A conviction on just one of the articles would have resulted in his permanent removal.
But after eight days of witness testimony and closing arguments, jurors cast their votes on each article on the Senate floor, acquitting him of all 16 articles.
Paxton will now be allowed to return to his office.
Trump, Texas Governor Offer Support
Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised Paxton following his acquittal.
“Attorney General Paxton has done an outstanding job representing Texas, especially pushing back against the Biden Administration,” Abbott said in an official statement. I look forward to continuing to work with him to secure the border and protect Texas from federal overreach.”
Former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to offer Paxton support.
“Congratulations to Attorney General Ken Paxton on a great and historic Texas sized VICTORY,” he wrote Saturday afternoon. “I also want to congratulate his wonderful wife and family for having had to go through this ordeal, and WINNING!”
He also lashed out at Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, who has battled against Trump’s allies and supported bringing impeachment articles against Paxton.
“It is time that Speaker Dade Phelan resign after pushing this Disgraceful Sham!” Trump posted.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz also offered congratulations.
This was the right outcome, consistent with the will of the voters,” he posted to X. “I look forward to seeing Paxton back in office, continuing to serve as the most effective conservative AG in America.
Victory for TX Hooray