The Briefing Room
State Chapters => Texas => Topic started by: libertybele on May 26, 2023, 02:04:23 am
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I like Paxton -- this seems like a witch hunt?
Texas House committee recommends impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton following investigation
A Texas House of Representatives investigative committee recommended impeachment for embattled state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The Texas House Investigative Committee unanimously voted 5-0 to adopt articles of impeachment for Paxton on Thursday, according to FOX 4.
A vote on the recommendation could come as soon as Friday.
In Texas, an impeachment from the House would require Paxton to leave his office immediately pending a trial in the Senate....
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-house-committee-recommend-impeaching-attorney-general-ken-paxton-following-investigation
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Texas lawmakers issue 20 articles of impeachment against state AG Paxton
In an unanimous decision, a Republican-led House investigative committee that spent months quietly looking into Paxton recommended impeaching the state’s top lawyer.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/25/texas-ag-paxton-republican-impeach-00098921
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I like Paxton -- this seems like a witch hunt
It seems like that because that is EXACTLY what it is!
https://texasscorecard.com/state/house-committee-recommends-impeachment-of-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton/
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https://twitter.com/tomgglass/status/1661940616991846401
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It seems like that because that is EXACTLY what it is!
https://texasscorecard.com/state/house-committee-recommends-impeachment-of-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton/
This is horrible! **nononono*
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https://twitter.com/WadeMiller_USMC/status/1661913947480502273
And the Texas House is the worst by far!
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https://twitter.com/lukemaciastx/status/1662124311224647680
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No one in Texas has done more to fight the BS being foisted on us by Democrats than Ken Paxton!
Which is why they hate him so!
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Statement from Texas GOP chairman:
https://twitter.com/MattRinaldiTX
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Statement from Texas GOP chairman:
https://twitter.com/MattRinaldiTX
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxESe2lWIAIy8BA?format=jpg&name=small)
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https://twitter.com/RepMattSchaefer/status/1662190052628152325
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https://twitter.com/RepMattSchaefer/status/1662190052628152325
Furthermore, it is the stated intent of Speaker Phelan and Chairman Murr that no direct evidence will be provided to the full House when the articles of impeachment are called up for consideration.
:wtf:
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Phelan sounds like a nut.
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Phelan sounds like a nut.
#DrunkDade is trending on Twitter....
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Phelan sounds like a nut.
A Democrat and lobby shill in every sense of the word. The fact that he has an R behind his name means nothing.
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A Democrat and lobby shill in every sense of the word. The fact that he has an R behind his name means nothing.
Assuming the Rats will vote 100% to Impeach, are there enough GOP loyalists to stop this in the TX House? I understand that Paxton would have to step down if he loses the vote...and resume if he is acquitted in the Senate.
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Assuming the Rats will vote 100% to Impeach, are there enough GOP loyalists to stop this in the TX House? I understand that Paxton would have to step down if he loses the vote...and resume if he is acquitted in the Senate.
My best guess at present is that this will be stopped by the full house, but I've been fooled before. @Cyber Liberty
https://twitter.com/kimspaintx/status/1662182678987194383
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Could someone from Texas explain what this is about, in a sentence or two or three?
Bigun?
What is he being impeached FOR...?
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Could someone from Texas explain what this is about, in a sentence or two or three?
Bigun?
What is he being impeached FOR...?
The following is as good as I can do @Fishrrman
The process being used by Phelan and his committee here gives new meaning to the words "Kangaroo Court". NONE of it is even remotely legal under Texas law.
"Under the direction of Speaker Phelan, the House Committee on General Investigating has conducted its business for many weeks outside the knowledge of rank and file members of the Texas House. To my knowledge not a single member of the Texas House has interviewed, or directed questions to a single witness, and that includes members of the General Investigating Committee. All interviews were conducted by hired staff.
Nor have any transcripts of interviews with witnesses conducted by committee staff been provided to the members of the full House. Nor have members been provided with substantiating documents. To be clear, the full Texas House has not heard any testimony from witnesses, nor have we been provided transcripts of such testimony.
As I write this, I cannot determine whether those witnesses were under oath when they were interviewed by staff. I asked two members of the committee and they did not know the answer.
Furthermore, it is the stated intent of Speaker Phelan and Chairman Murr that no direct evidence will be provided to the full House when the articles of impeachment are called up for consideration. Texas Government Code Sec. 665.005 states that the full house may compel testimony. The only transcript that has been provided to the full House was the transcript of staff members of the General Investigating Committee presenting an account of their findings to the committee on May 24th, 2023.
After speaking to the parliamentarian of the House, reading the transcript, and asking questions to some members of the General Investigating Committee, I believe this process is being rushed. I do not believe that members of the House have a good understanding of the adequacy, legality, or fairness of the impeachment process. We are being asked to vote on impeachment tomorrow, Saturday, May 27th while in the midst of considering the House budget, and many other legislative items of great importance. I am deeply disturbed by the way this is being handled. Political considerations seem to be involved.
The weight of the decision we face as members of the Texas House of Representatives is enormous. The practical consequence of impeaching the Attorney General is to overturn an election decided by the voters of Texas. Many (but not all) of the allegations in the impeachment resolution were known to some extent by the voting public at the time of the election. I publicly opposed Ken Paxton’s re-election in the Republican primary, and I called out his very serious moral and legal failings. But if it is right to impeach Ken Paxton, it is being done in the wrong way. Barring a drastic change in the nature of the House proceedings on impeachment, I will be voting no. I will vote no because I do not have confidence in the procedure. This impeachment procedure may be a significant departure from the due process considerations afforded during similar proceedings in Texas history. I cannot vote to impeach when the members of the full House have had no direct access to witnesses or supporting documents, and have had no time to properly prepare and understand the matters in question. The simple truth is that the evidentiary basis to impeach Attorney General Paxton has not been properly established.
https://twitter.com/RepMattSchaefer/status/1662193980870721537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1662190052628152325%7Ctwgr%5Efc3b3541b1af2f92544ab0c932ad81e81e86195e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gopbriefingroom.com%2Findex.php%2Ftopic500799.0.html
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxETeZRaIAAj8Y2?format=jpg&name=large)
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Michael Berry
2h
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton should NOT be impeached. This is a very sordid backroom deal, & it’s all going to be blown open. Texans are going to be very angry when they hear the full story. This can’t be blamed on Democrats. A few Republicans are to blame, & it is bad.
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Pedro L. Gonzalez
@emeriticus
Phelan is currently leading an effort to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton. They’re both Republicans. But Phelan is a reminder of how bad Republicans can be even in red states.
Phelan recently blocked a GOP-led vote on a rules proposal to stop him from appointing Democrats to chair House committees and ended up appointing several of them to committee chairmanships. He has also sided with Democrats to undermine border security legislation.
Now Phelan is overseeing an effort to remove Paxton, one of the most solidly right-wing Republicans in the state. Paxton has been spearheading investigations into hospitals providing gender transition-related care to minors.
The House impeachment vote happens Saturday afternoon. It would be shameful if Phelan succeeds in impeaching Paxton.
2:22 AM · May 27, 2023
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Pedro L. Gonzalez
@emeriticus
Phelan is currently leading an effort to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton. They’re both Republicans. But Phelan is a reminder of how bad Republicans can be even in red states.
Phelan recently blocked a GOP-led vote on a rules proposal to stop him from appointing Democrats to chair House committees and ended up appointing several of them to committee chairmanships. He has also sided with Democrats to undermine border security legislation.
Now Phelan is overseeing an effort to remove Paxton, one of the most solidly right-wing Republicans in the state. Paxton has been spearheading investigations into hospitals providing gender transition-related care to minors.
The House impeachment vote happens Saturday afternoon. It would be shameful if Phelan succeeds in impeaching Paxton.
2:22 AM · May 27, 2023
All that and the FACT that Paxton very publicly called Phelan out for illegally being in a drunken stupor while presiding when the Texas House was in session! Asked for Phelan's resignation in fact as he should have.
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A defiant Ken Paxton lashes out at 'corrupt politicians' on eve of GOP-led impeachment vote
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/ken-paxton-impeachment-response-18121720.php (https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/ken-paxton-impeachment-response-18121720.php)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Friday blasted a GOP-led effort to remove him from office over a pattern of alleged misconduct, calling it a “deceitful,” politically motivated campaign in his first public remarks about the case.
BACKGROUND: Texas lawmakers recommend impeachment of AG Ken Paxton over alleged corruption
Ahead of an impeachment vote Saturday in the Texas House, the Republican said he expects to weather the storm despite mounting allegations that he abused his power to help a friend and political donor, Nate Paul. Impeachment proceedings were expected to begin in the House at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Paxton said the House was “determined to ignore the law” and seemed hopeful that the Senate would ultimately vote in his favor.
“I hope the House makes the right decision,” he said. “But if not, I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I truly believe that the process will be fair and just.”
If a majority of House members vote to impeach Paxton, he would be suspended from office until the Senate decides on his political fate.
Paxton declined to take questions Friday and called on his supporters to “peacefully come let their voices be heard” at the Capitol during Saturday’s proceedings.
Friday’s remarks were potentially the last opportunity for Paxton to defend his actions using his state-funded office resources, as Texas law requires him to step down during proceedings until a decision is made on removal. Complicating the Senate trial further, Paxton’s wife is a state senator.
Paxton said the House was trying to thwart his conservative agenda, listing a handful of consumer protection suits and other legal challenges he filed against the Biden administration just this week and propping up Texas as a leader when it comes to national policy.
More at link.
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Phelan is a RINO. Gotta be that way to be electable from inner city Beaumont core consituentcy.
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Ignoring the law is a serious thing and the repercussions od doings so should have serious consequences!
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https://twitter.com/charliekirk11/status/1662227761321369600
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https://twitter.com/ArthurSchwartz/status/1662185125671518229
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https://twitter.com/MQSullivan/status/1662255496030564352
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SUBCHAPTER D. OTHER REMOVAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 665.081. NO REMOVAL FOR ACTS COMMITTED BEFORE ELECTION TO OFFICE. (a) An officer in this state may not be removed from office for an act the officer may have committed before the officer's election to office.
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.665.htm
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https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1662486834050416643
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Texas House of Representatives live stream of the impeachment of Texas AG Ken Paxton
https://twitter.com/KamVTV/status/1662522713263554567
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It looks like the House voted for articles of impeachment: https://nypost.com/2023/05/27/articles-of-impeachment-introduced-against-texas-ag-ken-paxton/
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I sincerely HOPE people are listening to Representative Smithee's opening statement linked above!
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I have seen a lot over the course of my life but nothing sadder, or more embarrassing, than what I just witnessed in the state of Texas today!
BEYOND embarrassing!
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A vote without an evidentiary trial?
WTH?
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A vote without an evidentiary trial?
WTH?
Not even one single fact witness! Pure hearsay beginning to end!
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I still haven't got this figured out.
What are "the charges" against him?
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I still haven't got this figured out.
What are "the charges" against him?
A bunch of hearsay BS cooked up by lawyers out of Harris County at the direction of Biden's DOJ.
There was not even one fact witness presented under oath! Not one!
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A bunch of hearsay BS cooked up by lawyers out of Harris County at the direction of Biden's DOJ.
There was not even one fact witness presented under oath! Not one!
Greg Price
@greg_price11
BREAKING: The “Republican” supermajority in the Texas House of Reps has voted to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton on a 121-23 vote.
He will now be suspended from office pending a trial in the state senate.
Here’s how every Rep voted 👇
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxKtoTxXsAIm3Mm?format=jpg&name=small)
6:10 PM · May 27, 2023
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Attorney General Ken Paxton
@KenPaxtonTX
I am beyond grateful to have the support of millions of Texans who recognize that what we just witnessed is illegal, unethical, and profoundly unjust. I look forward to a quick resolution in the Texas Senate, where I have full confidence the process will be fair and just.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxKqNxTWwAAwgyB?format=jpg&name=small)
5:55 PM · May 27, 2023
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Jack Poso
@JackPosobiec
The fact there are Republicans leading the charge in trying to take out Ken Paxton tells everything you need to know about the GOPe
6:50 PM · May 27, 2023
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May 27, 2023 5:54pm EDT
Texas House votes to impeach Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton
Former President Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas had backed Paxton
By Adam Shaw | Fox News
The Texas House of Representatives voted Saturday to impeach Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton over charges of bribery, disregard of official duties and abuse of public trust after hours of debate in an afternoon session -- sending the case to the state Senate.
The House voted 121-23 to impeach him, meaning he will step down temporarily as he faces trial in the upper chamber. A simple majority was required to impeach him.
The House’s Committee on General Investigating had initiated an inquiry in March after Paxton and his office asked the legislature for $3.3 million to settle a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by whistleblowers in the office. The former employees had called in 2020 for an investigation into Paxton’s actions regarding an Austin real estate investor who had his home searched by the FBI. They accused Paxton of using his office to protect him by authorizing an investigation into the FBI.
The articles of impeachment allege that the settlement delayed the discovery of facts and testimony to Paxton's advantage.
"Over the course of several months, the Committee and staff set out to determine if payment of the settlement was warranted because of the lack of discovery in the litigation and because Paxton and his office were not forthcoming about his conduct regarding the whistleblower’s good faith reports of his violations of his constitutional and statutory duties," a committee memo this week said.
The Republican-led investigation has presented findings that Paxton recommended the developer, Nate Paul, employ a woman with whom Paxton was allegedly having an affair, and that Paul aided Paxton with a renovation of his home in exchange for favorable legal help from Paxton’s office. Paxton is also accused of obstruction of justice and false statements in official records.
more
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-house-votes-impeach-republican-attorney-general-ken-paxton
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johnny maga
@_johnnymaga
“Ken Paxton has been impeached”
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxKxR-PWcAEhdkY?format=jpg&name=small)
6:26 PM · May 27, 2023
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https://rumble.com/embed/v2nrt4m/?pub=4
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Donald Trump, Ted Cruz denounce effort to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton
The Texas Tribune, May 27, 2023
Former President Donald Trump made a late play Saturday to stop the Texas House’s push to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton, blasting it as “ELECTION INTERFERENCE.”
With less than half an hour until the House was set to consider Paxton’s impeachment, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to blast the effort.
“The RINO Speaker of the House of Texas, Dade Phelan, who is barely a Republican at all and failed the test on voter integrity, wants to impeach one of the most hard working and effective Attorney Generals in the United States, Ken Paxton, who just won re-election with a large number of American Patriots strongly voting for him,” Trump said.
[...]
Trump is by far the highest-profile Republican to come to Paxton’s defense. On Saturday morning, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, added his voice to the opposition, calling the impeachment effort a “travesty.” Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., came out against the impeachment effort Friday.
Cruz expressed his support for the attorney general in a series of tweets Saturday. He said the courts should sort out Paxton’s alleged wrongdoing instead.
“For the last nine years, Ken has been the strongest conservative AG in the country. Bar none,” Cruz wrote. “No attorney general has battled the abuses of the Biden admin more ferociously—and more effectively—than has Paxton.”
More:
https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/27/donald-trump-ken-paxton-impeachment/
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BREAKING: Texas RINOs and Democrats Vote to Impeach Highly Popular Attorney General Ken Paxton on Holiday Weekend – Here is the Vote Sheet
by Cristina Laila May. 27, 2023 4:56 pm
The Republican-led Texas House on Saturday impeached highly popular Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Ken Paxton was impeached by the Republican-led House (85 Rs to 64 Ds) and will be suspended effective immediately.
The vote tally: 121 ayes – 23 nays – 2 ‘present not voting’
For final removal, it would require a 2/3 vote in the senate.
A Texas House Committee full of RINOs on Thursday voted to recommend impeaching Ken Paxton after an investigation into his ‘corruption.’
The 20 articles include “bribery, unfitness for office and abuse of public trust” – according to the Associated Press.
more
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/05/breaking-texas-house-impeaches-attorney-general-ken-paxton/
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https://twitter.com/RobertDownen_/status/1662577173989826563
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I have seen a lot over the course of my life but nothing sadder, or more embarrassing, than what I just witnessed in the state of Texas today!
BEYOND embarrassing!
Take a closer look at Paxton, he's not a good guy.
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When your OWN party votes OVERWHELMINGLY to impeach you, then you have a problem. Paxton is NOT a good guy. Even the people that work for him say this.
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When your OWN party votes OVERWHELMINGLY to impeach you, then you have a problem. Paxton is NOT a good guy. Even the people that work for him say this.
I suspect that I know far more about what's going on here than you do @Jack Russell
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https://twitter.com/KenPaxtonTX/status/1662578370477948928
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I suspect that I know far more about what's going on here than you do @Jack Russell
@Bigun You have no clue what you are talking about. I have more inside info on Paxton than you'll ever know.
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@Bigun You have no clue what you are talking about. I have more inside info on Paxton than you'll ever know.
Regardless of what you (think) you know or don't know, what took place in the Texas House today was a a travesty that will remain a stain in the history of that body forever.
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@Bigun You have no clue what you are talking about. I have more inside info on Paxton than you'll ever know.
Let's assume you do and that Paxton is the antichrist himself. That still does not change the fact that it is not OK to indict someone based solely on hearsay.
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@Bigun You have no clue what you are talking about. I have more inside info on Paxton than you'll ever know.
So is Ted Cruz also clueless on what's going on?
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@Bigun You have no clue what you are talking about. I have more inside info on Paxton than you'll ever know.
I wouldn't write @Bigun off so quick when it comes to Texas politics. He seems to know a lot of them folks on a first name basis. Jussayin.
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@Bigun You have no clue what you are talking about. I have more inside info on Paxton than you'll ever know.
Do tell. @Bigun is a known quantity, you are not.
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Let's assume you do and that Paxton is the antichrist himself. That still does not change the fact that it is not OK to indict someone based solely on hearsay.
:bingo: What happened in the Texas House yesterday wasn't even about Ken Paxton at base. It was entirely about how weighty things should, or should not, be done in that body and the members failed miserably! Their standards were no standards at all!
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s mistress at heart of allegations in impeachment papers
By David Montesino Updated May 27, 2023 6:08 PM
https://amp.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article275827966.html
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Paxton is NOT a good guy. Even the people that work for him say this.
Maybe so, but to impeach without some form of evidentiary hearing or trial?
How about the proof first, and then let us decide.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s mistress at heart of allegations in impeachment papers
By David Montesino Updated May 27, 2023 6:08 PM
https://amp.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article275827966.html
Hopefully, everyone who reads/listens to this will understand that ALL of this is old news which has been in the papers before so to speak. NONE of it is new and the voters of Texas overwhelmingly re-elected Paxton in 2022 thus passing their judgment on all of it.
What is REALLY going on here is that certain elements in this state don't like the fact that Ken Paxton is holding their feet to the fire and are desparate to be rid of him no matter what it takes.
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What is REALLY going on here is that certain elements in this state don't like the fact that Ken Paxton is holding their feet to the fire and are desperate to be rid of him no matter what it takes.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5zczFDkKr0/U6N6yFoigeI/AAAAAAAAAPY/nQL3ofjxjrk/s1600/hold_fast_master_amp_commander___16_1171780003.jpg)
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Hopefully, everyone who reads/listens to this will understand that ALL of this is old news which has been in the papers before so to speak. NONE of it is new and the voters of Texas overwhelmingly re-elected Paxton in 2022 thus passing their judgment on all of it.
What is REALLY going on here is that certain elements in this state don't like the fact that Ken Paxton is holding their feet to the fire and are desparate to be rid of him no matter what it takes.
I wonder who Abbott is going to replace him with?
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Do tell. @Bigun is a known quantity, you are not.
Yup....you are correct. See how all of this plays out, then get back to me. happy77
@Free Vulcan
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Yup....you are correct. See how all of this plays out, then get back to me. happy77
@Free Vulcan
That works for the Management. We will see. We are not blind Partisans.
Meanwhile, @Bigun is a good friend of mine....
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So what is a quick summary of what he's supposedly done?
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So what is a quick summary of what he's supposedly done?
https://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,501003.0.html
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I wonder who Abbott is going to replace him with?
I don't believe he will have to. I doubt the Texas Senate would hold a trial and vote to remove without a single witness giving testimony.
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I don't believe he will have to. I doubt the Texas Senate would hold a trial and vote to remove without a single witness giving testimony.
According to what I've read about TX law, he has to step down now, until the Senate trial is over. Don't know if that means a replacement is required.