A Republican state senator has urged his colleagues to reopen an impeachment case against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday after the latter amended his response to a lawsuit.
State Sen. Drew Springer told his colleagues he was rethinking his vote on Paxton’s impeachment after the attorney general said he would not contest allegations in the whistleblower lawsuit, causing Springer to wonder if the attorney general misled the senate.
“He cannot admit guilt while claiming innocence,” Springer posted to X. “I urge the Lt. Gov & my Senate colleagues to consider reopening Paxton’s impeachment. Paxton has not only admitted to violating the articles of impeachment, but he is exposing Texas taxpayers to a settlement of WELL OVER $3.3M. Texans deserve the truth!”
Paxton was acquitted in September 2023 of 16 impeachment charges related to accusations of bribery, disregard of official duty, and dereliction of duty. He also faced allegations that he used his political power to help friend and real estate developer Nate Paul, which stemmed from the whistleblower lawsuit filed by four former employees.
The change comes after the attorney general updated his response to the lawsuit last week, in which he claimed he would not contest “any issue of fact in this case, as to the claim or damages,” which Springer said was an admission of guilt.
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“While AG Paxton claims this decision is not an admission of guilt, the fact of the matter is it is an admission of guilt,” Springer said in a letter to the other senators. “He can’t accept the whistleblower’s claims against him while touting that he’s innocent against those very claims.”
Springer was among the 16 Republican senators who voted to acquit Paxton on all charges. There are 19 Republicans in the state Senate, including Paxton’s wife, who was not allowed to vote on his impeachment. Two Republicans crossed party lines, voting to convict Paxton on some charges.
