Austin, Texas, USA –
A historic Texas impeachment trial to determine whether Attorney General Ken Paxton should be permanently removed will begin later in August in the state Senate, where the jury that will decide his future could include his wife, Sen. Angela Paxton. Is.
Setting a date was one of the last issues lawmakers settled on Monday during this year’s acrimonious final legislative session in Texas, where the trial has exposed changes in America’s biggest red state beyond the fact that Republicans Lets out one of the leading legal conservatives.
Republicans — who have seen Texas increasingly mutating swing further to the right for years — have been dragged along with unfinished business and decisions in the heat of sour feelings until the 2024 election.
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who was unable to finalize his agenda in time in the Republican-controlled legislature, has many interests at stake. He urged MPs to return to work immediately to take part in the first of “various” special sessions in the coming months.
Abbott did not mention Paxton in his announcement and has remained silent since the impeachment proceedings began last week.
Paxton was placed at the center of the conflict in the Texas Capitol after the Republican-led House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a trial over the weekend on charges including bribery and abuse of office after nearly a decade of scandals and criminal charges.
The state’s top attorney was suspended pending trial in the state Senate, which on Monday set no earlier date, August 28, to begin the process.
In a development that highlights the aftermath of the Paxton action, the session ended with a dozen lawmakers in the House of Representatives walking to the other side of the building to present the charges to the Senate, where 31 senators serve as jurors. could work.
A difficult position is constituted by Senator Paxton, who has not made a public statement since the impeachment trial against her husband was ordered and has not said whether she will recuse herself from the process.
The senator declined to comment Monday when contacted by The Associated Press outside the Senate chamber.
The chairman leading the House investigation, Republican Andrew Moore, also declined to comment on whether Sen. Paxton’s involvement would be appropriate.
“We will handle this process with the weight and respect it deserves and needs,” Moore said.
The impeachment trial marked a dramatic end to a 140-day legislative session in Texas, where Republicans began the year with a large majority after a key midterm election, a record $33 billion surplus and a governor who has raised a potential presidential nomination in 2024. considered the candidate.
Paxton is the third active-duty official to face impeachment in Texas’ nearly 200-year history.
The prosecutor described the investigation that led to his impeachment trial as “corrupt” and denied any impropriety. A two-thirds majority is needed to remove Ken Paxton as attorney general.
