Paxton Trial Set for Late Summer

The Senate impeachment trial of Ken Paxton, the suspended attorney general of Texas, will begin by August 28, per a unanimous Texas Senate resolution.

On Saturday, the Texas House of Representatives voted to impeach Paxton for alleged bribery, dereliction of duty, disregard of official duty, and obstruction of justice, as reported by The Dallas Express.

The impeachment has garnered national attention, with former president Donald Trump publicly coming to Paxton’s defense and slamming his detractors.

The House has appointed an impeachment board which delivered the articles of impeachment against Paxton to the Texas Senate on Monday, according to NBC 5 DFW.

The impeachment triggered an automatic suspension of Paxton in his capacity as attorney general.

The board of managers for the impeachment will be led by State Representatives Andrew Murr (R-Junction) and Ann Johnson (D-Houston). They will present the case against the suspended attorney general to the senators, who will all serve as jurors.

The trial will be presided over by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Patrick has named seven members to decide on the rules and procedures for the proceedings, according to NBC 5 DFW. Two-thirds of the senators must agree to convict for Paxton to be permanently removed as attorney general.

During a press conference on Monday, Murr said that the 12 House managers would “manage this process with the weight and reverence that it requires,” adding that “this is not about politics,” according to NBC 5.

However, that has not assuaged the anger of some Republicans who feel that Paxton is being railroaded.

“The fact is that those in the Texas House who voted to impeach the Attorney General did so without questioning any witnesses, without evidence, and with less than 48 hours to consider the issue. It’s shameful,” Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) tweeted on Tuesday.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday appointed former secretary of state John Scott as interim attorney general for the duration of Paxton’s Senate trial, as The Dallas Express reported.