The impeachment trial of suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has started.
Paxton has been accused of a quid pro quo relationship with a real estate developer, Nate Paul.
Paxton just pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges.
The Case
According to the filing, Paxton allegedly buried an investigation into Paul.
In return, Paxton had an alleged mistress get hired by Paul as well as some nice upgrades to his home.
Paxton’s attorney stated, “Everything … said there was false. Therefore, Attorney General Ken Paxton pleads not guilty.”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick instructed the Texas Senate on the matter.
He stated, “Did the House managers prove beyond a reasonable doubt any article of impeachment against the attorney general, and if so, shall that article be sustained, which would result in removal from office?
“If any of the 16 articles are sustained against Attorney General Paxton, he’ll be removed from office.”
The GOP controls 19 seats in the Texas Senate, but one of this is Paxton’s wife, so she will not have a vote in this matter.
So, of the remaining 30 seats, 18 belong to the GOP, but let’s not forget that it was a GOP House that conducted the impeachment inquiry.
There are a lot of people, including Republicans in office, who do not like Paxton and want him gone.
So, quite honestly, I would not be surprised to see 21 votes come back in favor of impeachment.
Source: CNN
