With a Democrat back in the White House, Texas Republicans prepare to go on offense
For the past four years, Texas Republicans have had an ally in the White House. Now they’re readying for the familiar role of conservative counterweight. Full Story
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![Then-Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Joe Biden at a campaign event in San Antonio on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Texas laws protecting whistleblowers don't apply to Attorney General Ken Paxton, his agency argues in bid to quash lawsuit
In a lawsuit, four former Paxton aides claim they were wrongfully terminated for reporting alleged criminal behavior on his part. Paxton’s agency wants a judge to quash subpoenas and depositions, saying that as an elected official Paxton is exempt from state whistleblower protection laws. Full Story
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![State Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, and her husband, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, look toward the Senate gallery at the Capitol on Jan. 12, 2021.]()
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After whistleblowers left Texas attorney general’s office, Ken Paxton hired costly outside counsel for Google lawsuit
Texas could pay the outside lawyers tens of millions for their work on the case — an early indication of the costs taxpayers may bear in the latest scandal enveloping Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at a press conference in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016.]()
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Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton tell Austin restaurants to defy COVID-19 order banning overnight dine-in services
A judge ruled Austin and Travis County can restrict on-site dining overnight from Thursday until Sunday. Gov. Greg Abbott says restaurants should ignore the curfew. Full Story
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![Elia Montoya serves breakfast dishes to U.S. Representative Chip Roy and his family at Juan In A Million, located in East Austin, on May 1, 2020. This was the first phase of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order to gradually reopen Texas businesses during the coronavirus outbreak.]()
Credit: Bronte Wittpenn/Austin American-Statesman via USA TODAY NETWORK/REUTERS -
Attorney General Ken Paxton asked Trump administration to take back some of Harris County’s COVID-19 relief money
The county, which is home to the state’s biggest city and is a critical Democratic stronghold, had planned to spend some of the federal dollars on expanding voting options, including printing absentee ballots. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton walked across the Supreme Court plaza to hold a press conference in 2016.]()
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Texas leads lawsuit against Google, alleging anti-competitive advertising practices
Attorney General Ken Paxton, battling his own legal troubles, announced the long-anticipated federal lawsuit in a video posted on social media. Nine other states with Republican attorneys general are also plaintiffs in the case. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton addresses reporters on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court after the court took up a major abortion case focusing on whether a Texas law that imposes strict regulations on abortion doctors and clinic buildings interferes with the constitutional right of a woman to end her pregnancy in Washington March 2, 2016. At right is Texas Solicitor General Scott Keller.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque -
With election lawsuit, Ken Paxton — like Donald Trump — makes a Hail Mary play
The long-shot lawsuit may be Trump’s last chance to contest the election. For Paxton, it’s helping resuscitate a political career in peril. Full Story
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![Ken Paxton receives an applause as he is sworn into office as Attorney General. Paxton replaced outgoing Attorney General Greg Abbott who was sworn in as Governor in 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
In new lawsuit, Texas contests election results in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block the battleground states from casting "unlawful and constitutionally tainted votes" in the Electoral College. There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud, experts say. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to delegates at the Texas Republican Convention in San Antonio on June 15, 2018.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Last whistleblower fired from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office days after suing for retaliation
Ryan Vassar, who had served as the deputy attorney general for legal counsel, was one of eight senior aides who told authorities they believed Paxton was breaking the law — a report that has sparked an FBI investigation. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton during a press conference in 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
FBI is investigating Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, AP report says
The bureau is probing allegations that Paxton broke the law by using the attorney general's office to serve the interests of a political donor, two unnamed sources told the Associated Press. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at the Texas Federation of Republican Women Convention in Dallas on Oct. 19, 2017.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman for The Texas Tribune -
Analysis: Impeachment is a political option in Washington. In Texas, not so much.
Texas lawmakers rarely resort to impeachment proceedings, even when elected officials like Attorney General Ken Paxton are accused of misusing their public offices. Full Story
![Attorney General Ken Paxton walked across the Supreme Court plaza to hold a press conference in 2016.]()
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Former aides file whistleblower lawsuit alleging retaliation by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
The lawsuit paints the clearest picture yet about what motivated the whistleblowers to come forward against Paxton, the state’s top legal authority, and the retribution they say they experienced after they made that report. Full Story
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![Ken Paxton at the inauguration ceremony of Judge Michelle Slaughter at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 11, 2019.]()
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is back in hot water. He’s escaped before.
Paxton has spent much of his time in public life haunted by accusations of illegal or unethical behavior, causing quiet discomfort among some Republican colleagues. He’s always held on. Will this time be different? Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to the Gun Owners of America assembly.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Key U.S. Supreme Court justices sound skeptical of Texas' argument to throw out Affordable Care Act
Texas argues the entire law must fall after Congress zeroed out one critical provision. Several justices seemed unconvinced. Full Story
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What to expect as Texas heads to the U.S. Supreme Court in bid to overturn the Affordable Care Act
On Tuesday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear a Texas-led challenge to the landmark health law. Full Story
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![Protestors gathered in front of the Supreme Court in Washington D.C., in 2015, to show support for the Affordable Care Act.]()
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Court documents show friendly relationship between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Nate Paul, donor at the center of new criminal allegations
Paul’s testimony included a reference to having hired a woman who, according to two people who were told by Paxton, was involved in an extramarital relationship with the attorney general. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke at the Texas Federation of Republican Women Convention in Dallas on Oct. 19, 2017.]()
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Whistleblowers say Texas AG's office retaliated against them — placing an armed guard in the office — after they reported Ken Paxton
In formal complaints, six whistleblowers allege they were retaliated against after reporting Paxton — with a “hostile” work environment that included being kept from attending important meetings and empty cardboard boxes delivered near their offices. Full Story
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![Attorney General Ken Paxton spoke to the Republican convention delegates in 2018.]()
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Two more senior aides fired from Texas attorney general’s office in wake of criminal accusations against Ken Paxton
David Maxwell and Mark Penley, top law enforcement aides at the agency, were fired after being on paid leave for weeks. Full Story
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at a press conference in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016.]()
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Analysis: In Texas, the end of a grinding election, and another already on the horizon
As a grueling election cycle comes to a close, there is no rest for the weary: Candidates are already talking about what's on the Texas ballot in 2022. Full Story
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![George P. Bush gives a eulogy during the funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6, 2018.]()
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All seven of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's whistleblowers have resigned, been fired or put on leave
The last of the seven whistleblowers, Ryan Bangert, said he resigned Wednesday. Two others had already resigned, two more were fired last week, and two were put on leave earlier this month. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton during a press conference on Jan. 12, 2017.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune
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