Texas lawmaker urges Paxton investigation, says AG encouraged insurrectionists
Grand Prairie State Rep. Chris Turner is calling on the Texas Legislature to investigate Attorney General Ken Paxton’s role in the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Paxton spoke to President Donald Trump’s supporters Wednesday in Washington, where he lauded his failed attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election through a lawsuit against four battleground states.
“What we have in President Trump is a fighter. And I think that’s why we’re all here,” Paxton said, according to the Houston Chronicle. “We will not quit fighting. We’re Texans, we’re Americans, and the fight will go on.”
Turner in a Thursday statement said the lawsuit “fueled unhinged conspiracy theories about a free and fair election” and that the attorney general was “egging on the crowd of insurrectionists in Washington, D.C.”
“Paxton has played a major role in creating the national crisis that culminated with the first breach of our nation’s capital since the War of 1812,” said Turner, a Democrat. “Paxton’s actions would be shameful for any elected official, but are especially so for the top law enforcement officer of the state. Even today, Paxton has used social media to spread lies about yesterday’s acts of violence and insurrection. “
Paxton’s office did not immediately return a request for comment on Turner’s push for an investigation.
News reports from Wednesday show a pro-Trump mob, many in gear supporting the president, storming the U.S. Capitol. Members of Congress convening to certify the Electoral College votes were evacuated.
Paxton wrote on Twitter Wednesday that he was “sorely disappointed today in the certification of the election, but I don’t believe violence is the answer.” On his official Office of the Attorney General account, he called on people to protest peacefully and said violence and civil disorder will not be tolerated.
Later in the day, he promoted the idea that antifa was behind the unrest at the Capitol — an unsubstantiated claim he repeated on Facebook. Antifa is a protest movement of antiracist and antifacist groups.
“Those who stormed the capitol yesterday were not Trump supporters. They have been confirmed to be Antifa,” Paxton said on Facebook. “Violence is not the answer.”
His office did not immediately return a request for comment on the posts. A Washington Times article about antifa that he shared on Facebook has been debunked and the original article removed from the Times’ website, according to the Washington Post.
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment on whether the agency has found evidence of antifa being involved in the riot, citing an ongoing investigation into Wednesday’s events. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department said it does not provide information about group affiliations. A spokesperson for the U.S. Capitol Police did not immediately return an email seeking comment.
“He’s just deflecting,” said State Rep. Ramon Romero, D- Fort Worth. “He’s looking for a way out, but he’s still stoking the flames.”
Romero said he supports “any investigation into the misuse of his (Paxton’s) office and funds.” Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, declined to comment on Turner’s call for an investigation when reached by phone. Rep. Nicole Collier, D-Fort Worth, also declined to comment. Other members of the Tarrant County delegation of the Texas Legislature did not immediately return requests seeking comment.
Turner said the Legislature has many tools to hold Paxton accountable, including passing legislation that limits the jurisdiction of the attorney general’s office, reducing appropriations to his office, restricting use of funds appropriated, censure and impeachment.
“Everything needs to be on the table, because Ken Paxton has abused his power in an effort to subvert the will of the American people,” Turner said.
This story was originally published January 7, 2021 at 1:29 PM.
