Ken Paxton announced Thursday that his office will withdraw from representing acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock in ongoing lawsuits tied to the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program, citing what he described as an “irreparable breakdown” in their working relationship.
In a March 26 letter to Hancock, Paxton wrote that the comptroller’s actions had “single-handedly destroyed” his office’s ability to defend the state in litigation challenging the program.
“My office has worked tirelessly for the past several weeks to defend against lawsuits brought concerning your administration of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program,” Paxton wrote, adding that his attorneys “cannot cure legal problems without client cooperation.”
Paxton further accused Hancock of placing “petty politics above the interests of Texans,” withholding key information, and communicating through public channels rather than privately with state attorneys.
“In short, your political selfishness has led to an irreparable breakdown in the attorney–client relationship and made it impossible for my office to continue representation in these important matters,” Paxton wrote.
The attorney general said his office will withdraw as counsel for Hancock and the comptroller’s office in the TEFA-related cases but will continue representing other defendants involved in the litigation.
The move marks a significant escalation in an ongoing dispute between the two officials.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Paxton called for Hancock’s removal on Wednesday following a public exchange over a letter in which Hancock urged additional legal action against Houston Quran Academy and criticized the attorney general’s handling of the case.
The broader conflict centers on lawsuits challenging the state’s administration of the TEFA program, including allegations that Islamic schools were improperly excluded from the $1 billion school choice initiative.
In Thursday’s letter, Paxton also rejected Hancock’s claims that his office had failed to act on the enforcement of SB 17, a state law aimed at restricting foreign adversaries from acquiring property in Texas.
Paxton wrote that his office has “successfully defended two lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of SB 17” and is currently defending another, while also noting that proposed rules had already been submitted to the Secretary of State earlier this month.
He further pointed to ongoing legal action targeting the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood, describing it as part of a broader effort to prevent foreign terrorist organizations from operating in Texas.
Paxton’s office framed Hancock’s actions as undermining the state’s legal position in active federal cases, including by publicly disclosing information not included in sworn court filings and making allegations without supporting investigative detail.
Hancock has not publicly responded to Paxton’s latest letter.
The litigation surrounding the TEFA program remains ongoing.
