Captivated by the historic trial, Texans respond to Paxton acquittal with delight, disappointment
Those disappointed by the Senate vote, blame political polarization. Those pleased with the acquittal say the evidence fell short. Full Story
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![Members of the public exit the gallery on the tenth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial at the Texas Capitol in Austin on Sept. 16, 2023.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
For Paxton lawyers, the trial was a “sham.” House managers say it exposed a “corrupt politician.”
Finally freed of a gag order, the opposing sides pulled no punches after the attorney general was acquitted. Full Story
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![Ken Paxton’s defense attorney Tony Buzbee answers a question from Texas Tribune reporter Karen Brooks during a press conference following the Senate’s vote to acquit Attorney General Ken Paxton of 16 articles of impeachment on Sept. 16, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Senate Republicans say House managers failed to meet high burden of proof
Democrats, however, said their GOP colleagues “caved” to outside pressure in voting to acquit and return Ken Paxton to his job as attorney general. Full Story
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![State senators file into the Texas Senate to cast their votes on the articles of impeachment on Sept. 16, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Trump congratulates Paxton on “Texas sized” impeachment victory
“This was the right outcome,” U.S. Ted Cruz said, while Gov. Greg Abbott said he looked forward to continuing to work with the attorney general. Full Story
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![Supporters cheer as former president Donald Trump steps off the plane to the podium at his first 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas on Mar. 25, 2023.]()
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Dan Patrick, Dade Phelan trade potshots after impeachment trial ends
The lieutenant governor criticized the House for a secretive and rushed process that “wasted” taxpayer dollars. The House speaker fired back, saying Patrick confessed his bias and contempt. Full Story
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![Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gives a speech to the Senate after the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton at the Texas Capitol on Sept. 16, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
After winning impeachment fight, Paxton still faces felony fraud case and an FBI investigation
The attorney general’s long-simmering securities fraud case appears closer to resolution, while the FBI has probed the same allegations that played a major role in his impeachment. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton leaves the courtroom after appearing for the eight-year-old felony securities fraud case against him at Harris County Courthouse on Aug. 3, 2023, in Houston.]()
Credit: Reginald Mathalone/NurPhoto via REUTERS -
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment
Only two of 19 Republican Senators voted in favor of convicting for any article — a stark contrast to the more than 70% of House Republicans who impeached the attorney general in May. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, center, sits between defense attorneys Tony Buzbee, left, and Mitch Little, right, before starting the ninth day of his impeachment trial in the Senate chamber at the Texas Capitol on Sept. 15, 2023.]()
Credit: Sam Owens/Pool via San Antonio Express-News -
PAXTON ACQUITTED ON MOST CHARGES; SENATORS STILL VOTING
Other public officials have begun weighing in after the attorney general was returned to his post as the state’s top lawyer. Full Story
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![Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, hugs defense attorney Tony Buzbee after the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate on September 16, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Paxton defense calls charges “foolishness,” House argues AG “betrayed us” in closing impeachment arguments
Senators begin deliberating in private after defense lawyers and impeachment managers make impassioned pleas after two weeks of trial. Full Story
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![Senators are led onto the Senate Floor at the beginning of the ninth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 15, 2023.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
Taxes, state parks, infrastructure: What you need to know about the Nov. 7 constitutional amendments election
Texans will decide the fate of 14 constitutional amendments approved for the ballot by state lawmakers. Here’s a breakdown of each constitutional amendment and requirements to vote. Full Story
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![Voters wait to cast their ballots at the Dittmar Recreation Center in South Austin on March 1, 2022.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Senators leave Capitol without a verdict in Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial
Deliberations are expected to resume at 9 a.m. Saturday. Paxton is accused of misusing his office to help a friend and donor who was under federal investigation. Full Story
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![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, left, talks with his defense attorney Tony Buzbee before starting the ninth day of his impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Austin, Texas.]()
Credit: Sam Owens/Pool via San Antonio Express-News -
Ken Paxton impeachment defense rests after calling 4 witnesses
Senators will hear closing arguments beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, after which they will deliberate in private before emerging to cast votes on whether the attorney general can remain in office. Full Story
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![Tony Buzbee, a lead defense attorney, listens in as Grant Dorfman, Deputy First Assistant Attorney General at the Texas Office of the Attorney General, is questioned by the defense team on the Senate floor during suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s trial on Sept. 14, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Paxton trial updates, Sept. 14: AG supervisor refutes whistleblower claims
Watch a livestream of the attorney general’s impeachment trial and get the latest updates as senators weigh his political future. Full Story
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![Tony Buzbee, a lead defense attorney, listens in as Grant Dorfman, Deputy First Assistant Attorney General at the Texas Office of the Attorney General, answers questions from defense attorney TKTK on the Senate floor during suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s trial on Sept. 14, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton’s lawyer attacks allegation that home renovation was a bribe
Drew Wicker, Paxton’s former personal assistant, testified at Paxton’s impeachment trial that his boss used four cell phones and ditched his security to meet with Nate Paul. But Wicker also provided Paxton’s lawyer with a chance to attack a central bribery allegation. Full Story
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![Drew Wicker, former executive aid to the Attorney General, testifies on Sept. 13, 2023, the seventh day of Ken Paxton's impeachment trial in the Texas Senate.]()
Credit: Julius Shieh/The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton took a “corrupt” interest in lawsuit on Nate Paul’s behalf, whistleblower testifies
Darren McCarty said the attorney general, his former boss, approached the Mitte Foundation lawsuit with “urgency and anxiety” — and a focus on helping his friend and political donor. Full Story
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![Darren McCarty, former deputy attorney general for civil litigation under Ken Paxton, is sworn in by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick during the sixth day of Paxton’s impeachment trial on Sept. 12, 2023.]()
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“I did everything at his supervision”: Outside lawyer says Ken Paxton approved every step of Nate Paul investigation
Houston lawyer Brandon Cammack said he was excited to help the attorney general’s office with a criminal investigation. But after a whirlwind month, he was fired without payment and felt he’d “gotten the rug pulled out from me.” Full Story
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![Houston attorney Brandon Cammack answers questions from Rusty Hardin, a lead prosecutor for the House’s impeachment team, during the sixth day of suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, on Sept. 12, 2023.]()
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Texas’ economic “miracle” at stake in 2023 election, lawmaker says
The Texas Tribune hosted a multi-panel discussion in Lufkin on the Nov. 7 election and what’s at stake for Texas and Texans. Full Story
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Texas job growth likely to slow in late 2023, Dallas Fed economist says
The state will likely see the two years of post-pandemic growth start to decelerate, according to Roberto Coronado, senior vice president and senior economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Coronado also cited lowering inflation rates as a top priority for the Dallas Fed. Full Story
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T-Squared: New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu will open The Texas Tribune Festival
The Granite Stater takes the stage Thursday, Sept. 21, to discuss the 2024 election, the future of the Republican Party and more. Full Story
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Paxton trial, Sept. 12: Whistleblower says he feared Paxton had “turned over” his office to donor
A Paxton whistleblower testified that the attorney general took an unusual interest in Nate Paul’s litigation against a charity in 2020. Another said Paul benefited from an opinion on foreclosures. Full Story
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![Darren McCarty, whistleblower and former Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation under Ken Paxton, testifies and answers questions from Dick DeGuerin, a lead prosecutor for the House’s impeachment team, during the sixth day of Paxton’s impeachment trial on Sept. 12, 2023.]()
Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune