Texas attorney general’s wife Angela Paxton will not recuse from husband’s impeachment proceedings
Rachel Schilke
Video Embed
Texas Republican state Sen. Angela Paxton, wife of embattled Attorney General Ken Paxton, will not recuse herself from her husband’s impeachment trial connected to allegations of bribery and misappropriating funds.
Kex Paxton’s impeachment trial stems from whistleblower accusations of misconduct in an investigation into a friend and political donor of the attorney general. Ken Paxton was impeached in the Texas House in late May over accusations of bribery, obstruction of justice, and misappropriation of public resources.
BIDEN FACES PROSPECT OF UPS STRIKE WHILE CONSOLIDATING UNION SUPPORT
Now the trial heads to the Senate, where Angela Paxton serves as one of 19 Republicans. The GOP majority in the Senate, however, is not an indication of potential favor toward Ken Paxton, as the Republican-controlled House voted to impeach him 121-23.
Angela Paxton released a statement on Twitter on Monday signaling that she would serve in her capacity as a state senator during her husband’s Senate trial.
“Each time I was elected, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of this great state, and Texas law compels each member of the Senate to attend when the Senate meets as a court of impeachment,” Angela Paxton said. “As a member of the Senate, I hold these obligations sacred and I will carry out my duties, not because it’s easy, but because the Constitution demands it and because my constituents deserve it.”
https://twitter.com/AngelaPaxtonTX/status/1670934071420092419?s=20
Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial must take place no later than Aug. 28.
In 2020, seven whistleblowers came forward to the FBI. They alleged wrongdoing on the part of Paxton regarding an investigation into Nate Paul, a Houston real estate investor under federal investigation for fraud.
Paxton had taken such personal interest in the case that it began to set off alarm bells among the high-ranking deputies, according to the whistleblowers. In a September meeting with the FBI, they accused their boss of engaging in obstruction of justice, abusing his office, harassment, and taking bribes from Paul.
The Texas House Investigative Committee said Paxton ultimately used his position to help Paul with the federal fraud investigation. In return, Paul allegedly rewarded Paxton with a home remodel, and Paxton “benefited from Nate Paul’s employment of a woman with whom Paxton was having an extramarital affair.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The whistleblowers claimed that after they came forward with their claims, they all had been fired or resigned. The whistleblowers successfully sued Paxton for retaliation, winning a $3.3 million settlement last year.
The FBI opened an investigation into Paxton after the meeting with the whistleblowers. Earlier this year, the agency transferred the investigation to the Justice Department.