Eye on Politics: The impeachment case against Texas AG Ken Paxton
AUSTIN (CBSNewsTexas.com) - In a special edition of Eye on Politics, CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink travels to Austin following a Texas House Committee's recommendation that Attorney General Ken Paxton be impeached. The Texas House is set to debate impeachment Saturday at 1 p.m.
Every week, CBS News Texas political reporter Jack Fink breaks down some of the biggest political stories grabbing headlines in North Texas and beyond. Watch the latest episode of Eye on Politics in the video player above and stream new episodes live every Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. on CBS News Texas.
The impeachment case against Texas Attorney General Paxton
For the first time since a committee referred him for impeachment, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton publicly addressed the media Friday afternoon. He read a lengthy statement and did not stay to answer questions.
During his statement, Paxton blasted the effort to impeach him and said it will leave "lasting damage" in the Texas House. He also criticized the investigators hired by the House Committee.
"By proceeding with the illegal impeachment scheme to overturn a decision made by Texas voters just a few short months ago, the corrupt politicians in the Texas House are demonstrating blind loyalty to Speaker Dade Phelan is more important than upholding their oath of office," he said.
In an interview with political reporter Jack Fink, Republican Texas Rep. Justin Holland of Heath praised the House committee.
"I feel certain they wouldn't be bringing something to us if it wasn't a serious matter," he said.
On Saturday at 1 p.m., the Republican-led Texas House of Representatives will vote to consider impeaching Paxton over allegations of bribery, unfitness for office and abuse of public trust. If impeached, Paxton would be forced to leave office immediately pending the outcome of a trial in the Texas Senate where two-thirds of senators would have to vote to remove Paxton.
The vote comes after a GOP-led committee spent months looking into Paxton and recommended Thursday that the state's top lawyer be impeached on 20 articles.
Paxton has been under FBI investigation for years over accusations that he used his office to help a donor. He was separately indicted on securities fraud charges in 2015, but has yet to stand trial and has denied wrongdoing.
Only two officials in Texas' history have been impeached.
Also in Eye on Politics this week:
- One year after a gunman killed 19 students and two teachers in a Uvalde classroom, we're taking a look at what the Texas Legislature has done to make schools safer. You can see all of our Uvalde coverage here.
- Jack spoke with Republican U.S. Rep. Keith Self about negotiations over raising the debt ceiling and budget cuts. We were set to speak with Democratic U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, but he had to reschedule. We hope to interview him next week.
