So much bluster, so little truth. A look at foolish claims behind Ken Paxton’s case | Opinion
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The saga of Ken Paxton: Our Opinion coverage
Our Editorial Board has closely followed the saga of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Read our coverage to catch up on the issues in his impeachment, and check out our analysis as the trial unfolds.
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One week into the Ken Paxton trial, let’s look at the immense amount of baloney dished up from the suspended Texas attorney general’s Houston lawyers, slicksters from a city that is the world headquarters of lawyer baloney:
1. “There is no evidence of a crime.”
This is not a criminal trial at all. The evidence is meant to show why Paxton is unworthy of trust, not to prove a crime.
2. “This is for the voters to decide.”
Impeachment was written into the Republic of Texas Constitution by the framers in 1836 and was carried over into the state constitution. It is how Texas removes officials who abuse their power.
Removal is about protecting the state.
3. “The staff plotted a coup.”
The attorney general’s staff serves the people of Texas, not any elected official.
Their allegiance is to Texans as devoted civil servants. They are expected to show loyalty to truth and justice, not to short-term politicians.
4. “Why didn’t they tell Ken?”
See previous reply.
5. “Paxton is being impeached because he was about to investigate Hunter Biden/the Bushes/Bud Light/Big 12 officiating.”
This is one of the most foolish claims. The Texas attorney general only runs the state’s civil law firm and can’t legally investigate or prosecute most crimes.
In Texas, that’s the job of district attorneys. The attorney general is a litigator, not a crime-fighter.
6. “This is political revenge after he was overwhelmingly re-elected.”
More than 57% of Texas Republicans wanted someone else to be attorney general in the March 2022 party primary.
Paxton won 823,199 votes in the primary, a puny 633,223 votes in winning a low-turnout runoff and 4,278,986 votes in the general election. That was the worst performance on the Republican ticket, 158,113 fewer votes than leader Gov. Greg Abbott.
In the most recent statewide poll, Republicans are split 50-50 on Paxton.
7. “The voters knew all this and still re-elected him.”
Polls show that 40%-50% of voters knew little or nothing about Paxton’s problems, including a felony indictment in Collin County, before any of his elections.
Democratic opponents Sam Houston, Justin Nelson and Rochelle Garza raised little money to air concerns in general elections.
Nelson did circulate an ad with a 2013 courthouse video showing Paxton picking up and walking off with another lawyer’s $1,000 Montblanc pen. Paxton kept it for days until deputies made him return it.
8. “He was impeached without subpoenas or evidence.”
House investigators conducted interviews over two months to prepare the basics of a case like any law officer would.
The House, as the grand jury, found probable cause to consider removal by the Senate. The Senate is the normal level where witnesses are subpoenaed and evidence is presented.
9. “Paxton is a hero. He stood up to Joe Biden.”
All Republican attorneys general do that.
Former Attorney General Greg Abbott sued the federal government and President Barack Obama 31 times.
The next attorney general will sue Washington, too.
10. “Paxton is the constitutional attorney general. He was elected by the people. Whatever he does is constitutional, because he’s the attorney general.”
Sure. But impeachment is also in the Constitution.
Republic of Texas Vice President Lorenzo de Zavala of Houston and the framers wrote it there to remove officials who betray their oath and voters’ faith.
10. “Paxton is a man of God who deserves forgiveness.”
I do not see him asking forgiveness, showing repentance or seeking redemption.
We rarely see him at all.
This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 9:11 AM.
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