Elected officials including Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) took to social media to share their reactions to the acquittal of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Saturday.
Abbott expressed his excitement to reinstate Paxton, since he’s been absent from the office since being impeached in the state House. The state Senate chose to move forward on 16 articles, but ultimately voted against every single one. Paxton had been accused of using his power to help real estate developer Nate Paul.
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The jury has spoken.
Attorney General Ken Paxton received a fair trial as required by the Texas Constitution.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Attorney General to secure the border and protect Texas from federal overreach. pic.twitter.com/OQo0XHIVWj
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 16, 2023
“The jury has spoken. Attorney General Ken Paxton received a fair trial as required by the Texas Constitution,” Abbott wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Attorney General to secure the border and protect Texas from federal overreach.”
Cruz offered his congratulations to Paxton as a fellow lawyer.
Congrats to @KenPaxtonTX on being acquitted of every single article of impeachment.
This was the right outcome, consistent with the will of the voters.
I look forward to seeing Paxton back in office, continuing to serve as the most effective conservative AG in America.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 16, 2023
“This was the right outcome, consistent with the will of the voters,” Cruz wrote. “I look forward to seeing Paxton back in office, continuing to serve as the most effective conservative AG in America.”
“Texas voters made it clear that they wanted KEN PAXTON to represent them as Attorney General,” Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) posted. “The ‘Republican’ establishment in Austin had other ideas, but they FAILED. This is a GREAT DAY for the state of Texas!”
Texas voters made it clear that they wanted KEN PAXTON to represent them as Attorney General. The “Republican” establishment in Austin had other ideas, but they FAILED. This is a GREAT DAY for the state of Texas!
— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) September 16, 2023
State Sen. Angela Paxton, wife to the attorney general, quoted scripture to share her reaction. She was not allowed to vote during the impeachment trial but sat in for both days of the trial.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James 1:2-4 #txlege pic.twitter.com/9IsXwOugFS
— Senator Angela Paxton (@AngelaPaxtonTX) September 16, 2023
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,” Sen. Paxton wrote.
Not everyone was pleased with the outcome. Others were convinced by the testimonies that went across eight days alleging abuse of power in Paxton’s office throughout his second term.
“Texas Republicans just acquitted Ken Paxton on all 16 articles of impeachment. They think corruption and authoritarianism can win out in Texas,” failed gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke wrote. “It’s on us to prove them wrong. Do your part to fire them by signing up to register voters in your community.”
Texas Republicans just acquitted Ken Paxton on all 16 articles of impeachment.
They think corruption and authoritarianism can win out in Texas. It’s on us to prove them wrong.
Do your part to fire them by signing up to register voters in your community: https://t.co/0DH2PO6cQ5
— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 16, 2023
Texas Republicans are in the process of letting indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton off the hook for years of blatant corruption.
The corruption, incompetence and cruelty of the Texas GOP harms Texans every single day. #KenPaxton #Impeachment https://t.co/YiU6AABf2a
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) September 16, 2023
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“Texas Republicans are in the process of letting indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton off the hook for years of blatant corruption,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) wrote. “The corruption, incompetence, and cruelty of the Texas GOP harms Texans every single day.”
Paxton will finish out his third term in the office. He is next up for reelection in 2026.
