Texas State House of Representatives Overwhelmingly Votes to Impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton

The Texas State House of Representatives has impeached Attorney General Ken Paxton in an overwhelming vote of 121-23. Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor and was separately indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015. The 20 articles of impeachment against Paxton included accusations of bribery, obstruction of justice and abuse of the public trust.

Immediately after the vote, Paxton released a statement calling it an “ugly spectacle” and said it was a “politically motivated effort by radical Democrats.” Under Texas state law, Paxton is immediately suspended from office pending his Senate trial.

The vote was lopsided, with 121 voting to impeach, 23 voting against impeachment and two voting present. The debate preceding the vote was heated, with many representatives citing Paxton’s alleged violations of the public trust as the reason for their vote.

Paxton’s Senate trial will determine whether he is removed from office. Until then, the Texas State House of Representatives has made it clear that they do not have confidence in his ability to serve as Attorney General.