Texas Senate Acquits Attorney General Ken Paxton on 16 Impeachment Articles, Ending Two-Week Trial

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted on Saturday by the state Senate of 16 impeachment articles, ending a two-week trial that featured substantial evidence of alleged corruption.

The trial, which began on May 17th, featured allegations of corruption relating to a wealthy friend and an extramarital affair. Paxton was suspended without pay from his post after the allegations were made.

In a statement, Paxton declared that “the truth prevailed” at the trial, supposedly brought by “mudslinging politicians” and “their powerful benefactors.” Despite the fact that many of the politicians trying to oust him were from his own party, two Republican senators broke with their party to vote for conviction on some articles of impeachment. However, the vast majority of Paxton’s party voted to acquit him following a day of deliberations behind closed doors.

At the trial’s end, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) officially reinstated Paxton as the state’s top law enforcement officer. Four impeachment articles that had been put on hold during the trial were dismissed immediately after the acquittal vote.

The acquittal of Paxton marks the end of a long and contentious trial, and the Attorney General is now free to resume his duties.