Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Attacks Likely Primary Opponent
AUSTIN — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton leveraged news Thursday that the Justice Department declined to prosecute him to attack his likely primary opponent, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.
Justice Department officials effectively ended their corruption investigation into Paxton in the final weeks of Joe Biden’s presidency, just before allies of President Donald Trump were confirmed to lead the federal agency, The Associated Press reported.
Paxton has repeatedly signaled his intent to challenge Cornyn for his Senate seat in Washington, recently participating in rare national interviews with print and digital media outlets and frequently targeting Cornyn online.
He shared an online screenshot Thursday of the Justice Department news while reviving a February 2024 spat with Cornyn, who told Paxton at the time it would be “hard to run from prison” after the attorney general suggested the senior Republican senator will have “a highly competitive primary” in the 2026 cycle.
Background on the Investigation
The investigation into Paxton was related to allegations of bribery, abuse of office, and obstruction of justice. The House had impeached him in 2023 over these allegations, but the Senate acquitted him after a two-week trial.
Paxton has maintained that the investigation was politically motivated and that he did nothing wrong. He has also sued the Biden administration more than 100 times, which he claims is the reason for the investigation.
Reaction from Cornyn
Cornyn initially declined to engage with Paxton’s comments, telling The Dallas Morning News he won’t talk about the attorney general “until he’s a candidate — then I’d have a lot to talk about.”
But after being told what Paxton said, Cornyn responded: “Is this the same person that had a $6.6 million judgment entered in Travis County based on the whistleblower complaints, and he didn’t contest any of the allegations? I’m confused.”
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, questions Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s choice to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Impeachment Reform
The news came hours before a Texas Senate committee took up a bill to reform the state’s impeachment process after the House’s impeachment of Paxton in 2023.
The proposals aim to push a constitutional amendment before voters. Such an amendment would ask voters to approve requiring testimony during the impeachment process to be given under oath in a session open to all members of the Texas House, all members of a House committee if the latter is conducting the proceeding and all senators during a trial.
A House committee that investigates during the impeachment process would be required to submit a report and related materials to each House member at least 72 hours before the chamber begins deliberating, and another 72 hours would need to pass between the end of deliberation and an impeachment vote.
Cost of the Impeachment Process
A recent audit found the impeachment process cost Texas taxpayers more than $5 million. Current Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, turned in two boxes of records last month, and the audit revealed a taxpayer tab of $5.1 million.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick complained for more than a year that former Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, had refused to turn over House impeachment documents for a state audit.
Conclusion
The situation between Paxton and Cornyn is complex and multifaceted. With the Justice Department declining to prosecute Paxton, it is likely that the attorney general will continue to challenge Cornyn for his Senate seat.
The impeachment reform proposals and the cost of the impeachment process are also important issues that will continue to be debated in the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the situation:
Q: What is the background on the investigation into Paxton?
A: The investigation into Paxton was related to allegations of bribery, abuse of office, and obstruction of justice. The House had impeached him in 2023 over these allegations, but the Senate acquitted him after a two-week trial.
Q: How did Cornyn respond to Paxton’s comments?
A: Cornyn initially declined to engage with Paxton’s comments, but later responded by questioning Paxton’s judgment and pointing out that he had a $6.6 million judgment entered against him based on whistleblower complaints.
Q: What are the proposals for impeachment reform?
A: The proposals aim to push a constitutional amendment before voters that would require testimony during the impeachment process to be given under oath in a session open to all members of the Texas House, all members of a House committee if the latter is conducting the proceeding and all senators during a trial.
Q: How much did the impeachment process cost Texas taxpayers?
A: A recent audit found the impeachment process cost Texas taxpayers more than $5 million.
