Embattled Texas AG Ken Paxton calls for protest at the state Capitol
Embattled Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday called on supporters to protest at the state Capitol when the Republican-controlled House takes up impeachment proceedings that could lead to his ouster, The Associated Press reports.
A five-member state House committee on Thursday voted unanimously to recommend Paxton’s impeachment on corruption charges, sending the 60-year-old Republican’s fate to the House for a vote scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Paxton is accused of corruption charges including accepting bribes, disregarding his official duty, and obstruction of justice in a pending securities fraud case.
Paxton if impeached would be immediately suspended from office and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott could appoint an interim replacement.
Paxton at a news conference in which he declined to answer questions called the impeachment proceedings “political theater” that he said would “inflict lasting damage on the Texas House.”
“I want to invite my fellow citizens and friends to peacefully come let their voices be heard at the Capitol tomorrow,” he said.
“Exercise your right to petition your government.”
Paxton’s calls for protest are similar to those made by former President Donald Trump’s calls for his supporters to protest his 2020 election defeat that led to the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Paxton’s odds of surviving Saturday’s impeachment vote in the 149-member House, where a simple majority is required to impeach, are reportedly grim.
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If all 64 Democrats vote along party lines, just 11 of 85 Republicans would need to vote to impeach.
If the impeachment proceedings clear that hurdle, the matter would go to the Senate for a “trial,” where a two-thirds majority is required for removal from office.