Sec 665.081
No Removal for Acts Committed Before Election to Office
(a)An officer in this state may not be removed from office for an act the officer may have committed before the officer's election to office.
(b) The prohibition against the removal from office for an act the officer commits before the officer's election is covered by:
(1)Section 21.002 (References to Municipal Governing Body and to Members of Municipal Governing Body), Local Government Code, for a mayor or alderman of a general law municipality; or
(2)Chapter 87 (Removal of County Officers From Office; Filling of Vacancies), Local Government Code, for a county or precinct officer.



So. What, exactly, has Paxton done since November 2022 that warrants impeachment?

1/x What is happening to @KenPaxtonTX is a travesty. 

For the last nine years, Ken has been the strongest conservative AG in the country. Bar none. No attorney general has battled the abuses of the Biden admin more ferociously—and more effectively—than has Paxton.

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 27, 2023

Of course it’s easy to see the path to 11 R votes, which is all that matters constitutionally right now.

Politically, though, leadership is probably mindful of Dems making up so much of the vote. Will a majority of House Rs vote for it (43/85)? More Rs than Ds? #txlege

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) May 27, 2023

Praying for wisdom and discernment as we approach today’s heavy and historic vote. Asking the Lord to grant clarity for the right thing to do — and courage for myself and my House colleagues to do it. #txlege

— Jeff Leach (@leachfortexas) May 27, 2023

Capitol building filling up 70 minutes before House vote on impeachment of AG Ken Paxton.

Unfortunately for Paxton, most of the visitors appear to be weekend tourists and not the protesters Paxton had asked to come. #txlege

— Ryan Autullo (@AutulloAAS) May 27, 2023

The Texas Capitol before the Texas House votes on whether to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton. pic.twitter.com/fniGzOGC1W

— Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (@SergioMarBel) May 27, 2023

I believe this is the write up: https://t.co/IvxZcgjKmk

— Matt Stringer (@WestTxStringer) May 27, 2023

And there it is —

Less than half an hour before the Paxton impeachment debate is set to start in the House, Trump weighs in against it

“Free Ken Paxton, let them wait for the next election!” #txlege pic.twitter.com/UcLOMVKc3A

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) May 27, 2023

“I will fight you if it does” — Trump makes very clear he’ll go after Texas House Republicans who vote for impeachment #txlege

— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) May 27, 2023

It's streaming here:

https://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&event_id=7911

First question from a House Republican - is the vote saying you agree with all 20 articles of impeachment. The answer is “yes”. But members can put comments in the journal about if they don’t agree with certain articles. #txlege @FOX4

— Steven Dial (@StevenDialFox4) May 27, 2023

whiterock said:

---

Sec 665.081
No Removal for Acts Committed Before Election to Office
(a)An officer in this state may not be removed from office for an act the officer may have committed before the officer's election to office.
(b) The prohibition against the removal from office for an act the officer commits before the officer's election is covered by:
(1)Section 21.002 (References to Municipal Governing Body and to Members of Municipal Governing Body), Local Government Code, for a mayor or alderman of a general law municipality; or
(2)Chapter 87 (Removal of County Officers From Office; Filling of Vacancies), Local Government Code, for a county or precinct officer.



So. What, exactly, has Paxton done since November 2022 that warrants impeachment?

---

The election of Ken Paxton to AG happened in 2014 and he was sworn in in 2015. Each election doesn't wipe the slate clean.

So the question is, what has Paxton done since November 2014 that warrants impeachment?

Rep @charliegeren says that ahead of the impeachment vote, GOP Texas House members received calls from @KenPaxtonTX threatening them with political consequences if they vote yes #txlege

— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) May 27, 2023

While the impeach proceedings against Attorney General Ken Paxton continue, State Sen Angela Paxton is here in the Texas Senate right now where they have just gaveled in for today’s session.

If he is impeached, it comes to the Senate where she could vote on it. pic.twitter.com/uhTeRruhHv

— Jeremy Wallace (@JeremySWallace) May 27, 2023

Is this true?

Phelan is currently leading an effort to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton. They’re both Republicans. But Phelan is a reminder of how bad Republicans can be even in red states.

Phelan recently blocked a GOP-led vote on a rules proposal to stop him from appointing Democrats to… https://t.co/qo4auNqqy2

— Pedro L. Gonzalez (@emeriticus) May 27, 2023

No predictions, but at this point I wouldn't be surprised to see more than 130 votes in the Texas House to impeach Paxton #txlege

— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) May 27, 2023

NEW: Texas AG Ken Paxton wanted his mistress to have a job in Austin, which investigators say he obtained for her, so he would not have to drive back and forth to San Antonio to see her, Rep. Ann Johnson said, in setting forth investigative findings.

— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) May 27, 2023

Some Republican Texas House members are pushing back against the impeachment proceedings, saying the process has been rushed and is unfair to Attorney General Ken Paxton. https://t.co/RyQFH9epsQ

— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) May 27, 2023

Rhino Republicans/Dems double teaming Paxton, Speaker has a health or drinking problem , Ken is a supporter of Donald Trump. Where is the Governor ?

As House Investigations Committee mems are laying out the case for impeaching AG Ken Paxton, Gov. Greg Abbott’s office sends out a press release saying Abbott will give a Memorial Day speech in Georgetown on Monday.

There’s been nothing from Abbott & his staff on Paxton so far.

— Edward McKinley (@ByEdMcKinley) May 27, 2023

Plano Republican @leachfortexas will vote YES to Impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton. He joins@charliegeren on the record from North Texas voting to impeach Paxton. #txlege @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/CpG5kSV19O

— Steven Dial (@StevenDialFox4) May 27, 2023

"Show the Speaker voting aye" #txlege https://t.co/Y4wCRQsVni pic.twitter.com/6g1B8FSRTj

— Scott Braddock (@scottbraddock) May 27, 2023

Texas AG Ken Paxton impeached, suspended from duties pending outcome of Senate trial

The House voted 121-23 to suspend the attorney general and refer him to the Senate for trial on charges of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction. It was the first such impeachment since 1975.

It appears rhino Republicans, Speaker of the Texas House, the swamp, Democrats and Bush Republicans wanted Paxton out. Sad sad.

Instant reaction from Impeached Attorney General @KenPaxtonTX "I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just." @FOX4 #txlege https://t.co/5rhACxPLVd

— Steven Dial (@StevenDialFox4) May 27, 2023

chriscbear said:

---

Rhino Republicans/Dems double teaming Paxton, Speaker has a health or drinking problem , Ken is a supporter of Donald Trump. Where is the Governor ?

---

Sorry, you're just wrong about that. I mean, there probably are RINO Republicans supporting this (and I'm a longtime outspoken opponent of the way some R's caucus with D's in the Texas House), but there are a LOT of non-RINO Republicans supporting this. A LOT. I know three of the former Assistant AG's that were forced to resign from their jobs because they couldn't ethically supports Ken's takeover of the investigation into his donor/mistress's employer. These are three folks that are about as far from a RINO as you can get. And the stuff Ken said about them was despicable. They gave him every chance to crawl off the limb without going public, and he rewarded their mercy by going scorched earth on them and their careers and families. He's a terrible human and deserves this.

But Oso let the voters decide. No politician is perfect. We can't throw out all semi bad judgement politicians. This is crazy. Ken has done a great job for Texas. This is BS. Weve gone impeachment crazy and we prosecute people because of politics.

He even lost support in his own backyard

Joint Statement of the Collin County Republican Legislative Delegation on the Impeachment of Attorney General Paxton #txlege pic.twitter.com/nPiTx2I3UX

— Jeff Leach (@leachfortexas) May 27, 2023

chriscbear said:

---

But Oso let the voters decide. No politician is perfect. We can't throw out all semi bad judgement politicians. This is crazy. Ken has done a great job for Texas. This is BS. Weve gone impeachment crazy and we prosecute people because of politics.

---

He isn't being prosecuted because of politics. He is being prosecuted because he had a campaign donor give a job to his mistress, then, when that donor was being investigated by members of the Texas AG's office, he intervened in the most ridiculous way to derail the prosecution (probably because the donor would reveal the bit about the mistress). When the internal staff of the AG's office (people Ken had personally hired because of their conservative bona fides) objected and asked Ken to cut it out, he had them fired and then told the world they were liars (a story he still sticks to). They gave him every chance to back away from this, but he didn't (probably because he was worried about the donor revealing his affair). They only spoke out after being forced out and libeled by Ken.

The only person that brought this on Ken is Ken. I type this with pain in my heart, because no one wanted Ken to succeed at being AG more than me. No one.

Osodecentx said:

---

whiterock said:

---

Sec 665.081
No Removal for Acts Committed Before Election to Office
(a)An officer in this state may not be removed from office for an act the officer may have committed before the officer's election to office.
(b) The prohibition against the removal from office for an act the officer commits before the officer's election is covered by:
(1)Section 21.002 (References to Municipal Governing Body and to Members of Municipal Governing Body), Local Government Code, for a mayor or alderman of a general law municipality; or
(2)Chapter 87 (Removal of County Officers From Office; Filling of Vacancies), Local Government Code, for a county or precinct officer.



So. What, exactly, has Paxton done since November 2022 that warrants impeachment?

---

The election of Ken Paxton to AG happened in 2014 and he was sworn in in 2015. Each election doesn't wipe the slate clean.

So the question is, what has Paxton done since November 2014 that warrants impeachment?

---

Well, Dade, that is not what the law says. Quite the opposite. And it may be what gets Paxton acquitted in the Senate.

Say, aren't you the guy who got angry about the party censuring electeds for not supporting the party platform, on grounds the party officials got elected by a considerably smaller number of people? Well, that same calculation applies here, doesn't it? Paxton received more votes in 2022 than all the GOP reps who voted against him combined.

What gives?

chriscbear said:

---

Rhino Republicans/Dems double teaming Paxton, Speaker has a health or drinking problem , Ken is a supporter of Donald Trump. Where is the Governor ?

---

So being a supporter of Donald Trump is the only qualification you care about for Texas' A.G.? His ability to uphold the rule of law in Texas for everyone and not just his GOP cronies isn't something you care about?

Greg Abbott is a wily ole crocodile. He's waiting this one out and will step in after the fact & blandly endorse whatever result TX Senate Republicans come up with after the interneccine squabble over just exactly how nasty and corrupt Texas Republicans will allow Ken Paxton to be (financial fraud? No problemo! Staff hates him & disovows him for corruption? Who cares? Wants the taxpayers to pay cost related to moving his mistress from San Antonio to Austin to facilitate his adultery? Suddenly what's left of a conscience amongst the Reagan/Bush (or, in this day and time, "RINO") faction of the party finally is finally aroused enough that 121 TX House members have had all the fun they can stand defending Ken's naked corruption, arrogance and avarice, qualities Trump supporters view as positives.

OsoCoreyell said:

---

chriscbear said:

---

But Oso let the voters decide. No politician is perfect. We can't throw out all semi bad judgement politicians. This is crazy. Ken has done a great job for Texas. This is BS. Weve gone impeachment crazy and we prosecute people because of politics.

---

He isn't being prosecuted because of politics. He is being prosecuted because he had a campaign donor give a job to his mistress, then, when that donor was being investigated by members of the Texas AG's office, he intervened in the most ridiculous way to derail the prosecution (probably because the donor would reveal the bit about the mistress). When the internal staff of the AG's office (people Ken had personally hired because of their conservative bona fides) objected and asked Ken to cut it out, he had them fired and then told the world they were liars (a story he still sticks to). They gave him every chance to back away from this, but he didn't (probably because he was worried about the donor revealing his affair). They only spoke out after being forced out and libeled by Ken.

The only person that brought this on Ken is Ken. I type this with pain in my heart, because no one wanted Ken to succeed at being AG more than me. No one.

---

But the voters……

whiterock said:

---

OsoCoreyell said:

---

chriscbear said:

---

But Oso let the voters decide. No politician is perfect. We can't throw out all semi bad judgement politicians. This is crazy. Ken has done a great job for Texas. This is BS. Weve gone impeachment crazy and we prosecute people because of politics.

---

He isn't being prosecuted because of politics. He is being prosecuted because he had a campaign donor give a job to his mistress, then, when that donor was being investigated by members of the Texas AG's office, he intervened in the most ridiculous way to derail the prosecution (probably because the donor would reveal the bit about the mistress). When the internal staff of the AG's office (people Ken had personally hired because of their conservative bona fides) objected and asked Ken to cut it out, he had them fired and then told the world they were liars (a story he still sticks to). They gave him every chance to back away from this, but he didn't (probably because he was worried about the donor revealing his affair). They only spoke out after being forced out and libeled by Ken.

The only person that brought this on Ken is Ken. I type this with pain in my heart, because no one wanted Ken to succeed at being AG more than me. No one.

---

But the voters……

---

What about the voters?

Paxton impeachment is unfair and political. The charges and accusations are prior to 2022. He was reelected. He beat someone named Bush and Dems hate his guts because is a supporter of Trump. God bless Ken Paxton.

whiterock said:

---

OsoCoreyell said:

---

chriscbear said:

---

But Oso let the voters decide. No politician is perfect. We can't throw out all semi bad judgement politicians. This is crazy. Ken has done a great job for Texas. This is BS. Weve gone impeachment crazy and we prosecute people because of politics.

---

He isn't being prosecuted because of politics. He is being prosecuted because he had a campaign donor give a job to his mistress, then, when that donor was being investigated by members of the Texas AG's office, he intervened in the most ridiculous way to derail the prosecution (probably because the donor would reveal the bit about the mistress). When the internal staff of the AG's office (people Ken had personally hired because of their conservative bona fides) objected and asked Ken to cut it out, he had them fired and then told the world they were liars (a story he still sticks to). They gave him every chance to back away from this, but he didn't (probably because he was worried about the donor revealing his affair). They only spoke out after being forced out and libeled by Ken.

The only person that brought this on Ken is Ken. I type this with pain in my heart, because no one wanted Ken to succeed at being AG more than me. No one.

---

But the voters……

---

The fight between the Texas GOP House and Paxton is just vote suppressors fighting with election deniers. There are no heroes, just self-interested villains.

— Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) May 27, 2023