Current:Home > StocksTexas AG Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial begins with a former ally who reported him to the FBI-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Texas AG Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial begins with a former ally who reported him to the FBI
how to verify account on lotradecoin View Date:2024-12-25 16:28:34
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is underway with live television coverage, a former aide who reported him to the FBI on the witness stand and his wife watching from her desk in the state Senate but prohibited from participating.
But how much Paxton himself will take part in the historic trial that resumes Wednesday is up in the air. Facing the gravest threat yet to his political future, Paxton left the start of the proceedings early and cannot be compelled to testify over accusations of corruption that have dogged one of Texas’ most powerful figures for years.
The trial could last weeks and is beginning with testimony from Paxton’s former second-in-command, the first in a potentially long line of onetime allies who could help Republican impeachment managers build their case that Paxton should be permanently removed from office.
Paxton pleaded not guilty Tuesday but did not return for opening arguments, when his attorneys sharply criticized the impeachment and urged Republican senators to acquit.
“I have one simple ask: Do the right things,” attorney Dan Cogdell said Tuesday. “And the right thing is to vote not guilty.”
The testimony of Jeff Mateer, an evangelical Christian lawyer who describes himself as far to the political right, underscores how Paxton’s impeachment is a rare instance of a party seeking to hold one of its own accountable in a bitterly partisan age. Mateer was the first witness called by impeachment managers and was expected to return to the stand Wednesday.
If convicted, Paxton could be barred from elected office in Texas. Senators on Tuesday rejected numerous motions to dismiss the charges against Paxton, who is not required to attend all the proceedings.
“Mr. Paxton should be removed from office because he failed to protect the state and instead used his elected office for his own benefit,” said Republican state Rep. Andrew Murr, one of the House impeachment managers.
“In Texas we require more from our public servants than merely avoiding being a criminal,” he said.
Paxton was not the only one who left the first day of the proceedings early: Although the start of the trial was carried live by some Texas stations and his supporters lined up before sunrise outside the Capitol, empty seats in the Senate gallery outnumbered onlookers by the end.
For years many Texas Republicans have resisted criticizing or facing head-on the litany of legal troubles surrounding Paxton, who has remained popular among the hard right by aligning himself closely to Trump and rushing his office into lawsuits that have halted priorities of the Biden administration.
At the heart of the case are accusations that Paxton abused his office to help one of his donors, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, who was indicted this summer on charges of making false statements to a bank to secure more than $170 million in loans.
Paxton attorney Tony Buzbee said Paxton “gave nothing of significance” to Paul and framed the proceedings as an attempt to overturn the will of voters.
The Republican-led House voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton in May, with the 20 articles of impeachment including abuse of public trust, unfitness for office and bribery. The vote immediately suspended Paxton and made him only the third sitting official in Texas’ nearly 200-year history to be impeached.
His future is now in the hands of a Senate stacked with ideological allies and a presiding judge, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who loaned $125,000 to his last reelection campaign. One member of the Republican majority in the chamber is his wife, Sen. Angela Paxton, but while she can attend the trial, she is barred from voting on whether to convict or acquit.
A two-thirds majority — or 21 senators — is required for conviction, meaning that if all 12 Democrats vote against Paxton, at least nine Republicans would have to join them.
Peter Bowen, 74, drove from Houston at 3:30 a.m. to be in line at the Senate before sunrise Tuesday. He said Paxton, who was reelected to a third term last November, was impeached because of his support for Trump and voters have already made clear where they stand on the allegations.
“We all knew about them, and we elected him. What they are doing is taking away the vote of the majority of the people of Texas,” Bowen said.
The trial will likely bring forth new evidence. But the outline of the allegations against Paxton has been public since 2020, when eight of his top deputies reported him to the FBI, setting off an investigation that remains ongoing.
veryGood! (2548)
Related
- Las Vegas police could boycott working NFL games over new facial ID policy
- Police: Thousands of minks released after holes cut in Pennsylvania fur farm fence
- Federal authorities announce plan to safeguard sacred tribal lands in New Mexico’s Sandoval County
- 16-year-old Missouri boy found shot and killed, 70-year-old man arrested
- Lady Gaga’s Brunette Hair Transformation Will Have You Applauding
- Unprecedented images of WWII shipwrecks from Battle of Midway reveal clues about aircraft carriers' final moments
- Ex-Indiana substitute teacher gets 10 months in prison for sending hoax bomb threats to schools, newspaper
- Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dogg add new sound to 'Monday Night Football' anthem
- Charlie Sheen’s Daughter Sami Sheen Undergoes Plastic Surgery for Droopy Nose
- A look at recent vintage aircraft crashes following a deadly collision at the Reno Air Races
Ranking
- US shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices
- Why *NSYNC's Bigger Plans for Reunion and New Song Better Place Didn't Happen
- Attorneys for man charged with killing 2 teenage Indiana girls argue they died in ritual sacrifice
- LA police investigating after 2 women found dead in their apartments days apart
- Millions of kids are still skipping school. Could the answer be recess — and a little cash?
- Patrick Mahomes lands record payout from Chiefs in reworked contract, per reports
- Former Missouri police officer who shot into car gets probation after guilty plea
- Phil Mickelson says he’s done gambling and is on the road to being ‘the person I want to be’
Recommendation
-
Giants trading Jordan Phillips to Cowboys in rare deal between NFC East rivals
-
After your grief fades, what financial questions should you ask about your inheritance?
-
Influencer Remi Bader Gets Support From Khloe Kardashian After Receiving Body-Shaming Comments
-
Attorneys for man charged with killing 2 teenage Indiana girls argue they died in ritual sacrifice
-
Collin Gosselin Says He Was Discharged from the Marines Due to Being Institutionalized by Mom Kate
-
Those worried about poor air quality will soon be able to map out the cleanest route
-
NFL injuries Week 3: Joe Burrow, Saquon Barkley and Anthony Richardson among ailing stars
-
Prison escapes in America: How common are they and what's the real risk?