Read more about the impeachment: https://thetexan.news/paxton_impeachment/
Today, suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s defense team and the House Board of Managers gave their final arguments in the impeachment trial, and senators began their deliberations on the articles of impeachment.
Here’s a recap:
- For the first time since the first hours on day one of the trial, Ken Paxton attended the proceedings. He sat between his lawyers and listened to the closing arguments.
- Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick read, at the request of both parties, all the articles of impeachment to the jury of senators prior to the closing arguments.
- “I have no idea how long the jury is going to deliberate. It could be hours, it could be days,” said Patrick. “Like any defendant, the attorney general is not required to prove he is innocent or produce any evidence at all.”
- The trial rules allow the House Board of Managers to divide up their hour-long allotment for an opening statement. Rep. Andrew Murr, chairman of the General Investigating Committee that brought the articles to the full Texas House of Representatives, gave a 10-minute opening statement.
- “Paxton had hired the best and brightest to run his office,” said Murr, looking to reinforce the credibility of the whistleblowers the House Board of Managers called to testify.
- “The power of the [Office of the Attorney General] cannot and should not be handed over to a private citizen to be used to attack their perceived enemies,” Murr contended, referencing the allegations that Paxton used his office to benefit Austin real estate developer Nate Paul.
- Tony Buzbee, one of Paxton’s lawyers, then spoke for almost an hour, leaving about five minutes for his colleague Dan Cogdell to close.
- “The Bush era in Texas ends today,” shouted Buzbee from the microphone at the front of the chamber. “We thought it had ended in the primary when Ken Paxton beat George P. Bush 68 to 32.”
- Buzbee alleged that Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) supported the impeachment because he “got his feelings hurt” and presided over the House chamber while intoxicated.
- Murr took to the microphone again and presented clips of testimony from the trial — including from whistleblowers like David Maxwell and Jeff Mateer — to combat Buzbee’s arguments and reiterate the case made by the House.
- Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano), a member of the House Board of Managers who is from Collin County like the Paxtons, was the final speaker for the House. He said he had considered the attorney general a “brother in Christ,” “political mentor,” and friend. Buzbee objected to Leach’s speech, saying he was providing testimony. Leach was allowed to finish.
- Senators were then dismissed and began their deliberations behind closed doors without access to their phones, news coverage, or media.
- Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) is barred from participating in the deliberations or voting on the articles of impeachment.
