# Ken Paxton, Texas AG, facing impeachment from fellow Republicans (is impeached on May 27, 2023) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 26, 2023, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608 "2023-05-26T01:24:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/101 "2023-07-23T16:06:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Wasn’t this the idea when the jury system came into being? Namely, that the jury of your “peers” would be made up of people who knew you in everyday life and would be in a position to judge whether the crime you were accused of was something you would be likely to have done? Peers in this case just meant your equals not necessarily people you personally knew. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/102 "2023-07-23T16:32:25Z")
At least in England the original meaning (manga carta at least) was to ensure that barons sat in judgement of barons, and they not be subject to judgement by the king. In modern days it usually means as opposed to a Blue Ribbon Jury, i.e. a jury selected by either special qualification or indication of their character or intelligence. The latter of course excluded the working class, drinkers, loose women, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/103 "2023-07-23T19:28:07Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Peers in this case just meant your equals not necessarily people you personally knew. I’m always embarrassed when I type in your when I meant you’re. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/104 "2023-07-23T20:10:54Z")
But ‘your equals’ is correct, yes? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/105 "2023-07-23T20:31:01Z")
The only thing worse than being wrong is being wrong about being wrong. @Railer13 has it right. At least I think I have it right that they have it right and that @odesio is wrong about being wrong. Right? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/106 "2023-07-31T21:50:30Z")
Paxton’s lawyers file for dismissal of 19 of the 20 articles of impeachment. Mainly those things that he was alleged to have done prior to the last election. > **[Texas AG Ken Paxton seeks to halt his impeachment](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4129626-texas-ag-ken-paxton-seeks-to-halt-his-impeachment/)** > > Attorneys for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) are seeking for all but one of the 20 articles of impeachment against him to be dismissed to “preserve” the “people’s will,” they say.  In a Mond… ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/107 "2023-08-27T03:32:12Z")
> **[Pressure mounts on Texas senators ahead of Ken Paxton impeachment trial](https://www.sacurrent.com/news/pressure-mounts-on-texas-senators-ahead-of-ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-32498162)** > > Senators who will act as jurors in the impeachment trial of the attorney general are being lobbied and targeted by political groups. Things are really heating up in Texas ahead of the September 5th impeachment trial of Ken Paxton. On the pro-Paxton side there are tens of thousands of dollars being spent on TV ads targeting a handful of senators they think can be convinced to vote against impeachment or even to vote against having an impeachment heating at an. > > Paxton’s allies are singling out a half dozen senators for lobbying. A mysterious entity is airing TV ads targeting certain senators. > > … > > "Anyone that votes against Ken Paxton in this impeachment is risking their entire political career and we will make sure that is the case,” On the other side, Rick Scott and other allies are trying to make sure the Texas senate doesn’t just vote to not hear the impeachment case at all, which would only take a 51% majority. > …the deep-pocketed GOP group Texans for Lawsuit Reform issued a rare public statement on the impeachment process. > … > > The group, which was sitting on a $33 million warchest as of June 30, made clear it expected senators to oppose the pretrial motions to dismiss — or anything else that could derail a full-blown trial. "There is an ongoing effort underway to intimidate the Senators into abandoning their constitutional obligations and acquitting Paxton before the trial even begins and the evidence has been presented,” the statement said. “These efforts are disrespectful of the constitutional impeachment process and insulting to the integrity of the Texas Senate.” > > “TLR expects the Senate will conduct a fair, open and thorough trial and that each Senator will make her or his decision solely on the evidence presented,” the statement added, putting an emphasis on “solely.” There’s an old curse, “May you live in interesting times.” I think someone put that curse on all of us in the last decade. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/108 "2023-08-27T13:08:35Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > > Paxton’s allies are singling out a half dozen senators for lobbying. A mysterious entity is airing TV ads targeting certain senators. > > … > > "Anyone that votes against Ken Paxton in this impeachment is risking their entire political career and we will make sure that is the case,” The source of this quote – Jonathan Stickland – was a notedly ineffectual right-wing buffoon during his brief service in the Texas Legislature. I don’t imagine he has any Republican Senators quaking in their boots. But this whole impeachment has become a proxy fight between the insurgent and establishment wings of the Republican party (note I don’t call them “conservative” and “moderate” – every significant player in the party is deeply conservative). And Texas Republican internecine politics is a goldmine for soap opera storylines. Several of the Republican Senators being targeted by Paxton’s allies share the same political consultant – who was Ken Paxton’s consultant before he resigned along with most of his senior staff over the conduct that led to the impeachment. Little over a week away. Get your popcorn ready. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/109 "2023-08-27T13:15:00Z")
I’ve got a whopper of an idea. How about just judging the impeachment based on the _facts_, and not based on the idea of losing one’s entire political career? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/110 "2023-08-27T17:03:13Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > How about just judging the impeachment based on the _facts_, and not based on the idea of losing one’s entire political career? 🤣 That was a good one. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/111 "2023-08-27T21:19:55Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > But this whole impeachment has become a proxy fight between the insurgent and establishment wings of the Republican party (note I don’t call them “conservative” and “moderate” – every significant player in the party is deeply conservative). I think you probably mean “reactionary” everywhere you use the word “conservative”. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/112 "2023-08-27T22:30:18Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I think you probably mean “reactionary” everywhere you use the word “conservative”. **kaylasdad99** liked this post. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/113 "2023-08-27T22:48:57Z")
FYI. I have chosen to refer only to the “Reactionary Wacko Traitor” party and the corresponding RWT ideology. We (and the MSM) do a grave disservice to democracy by using conventional mainstream terms to describe utterly unconventional non-mainstream beliefs. Call that monstrous spade by its correct name: A power shovel undermining all we (and even their parents) ever held dear. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/114 "2023-09-05T13:57:43Z")
Get your popcorn ready. The impeachment trial starts today. They’ll start off by trying to vote to dismiss the charges entirely, which requires only a bare majority to pass. There’s been quite an extensive and expensive push to browbeat certain senators into voting to dismiss. trump himself vowed to fight any Republicans who didn’t vote to dismiss. I hope for the airing of lots of dirty laundry on both sides of the Republican divide. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/115 "2023-09-05T14:07:16Z")
If they (The Reactionary Traitors that is) get lucky, the chairman will call that question right after the opening gavel, it’ll pass with no discussion, He will adjourn the proceeding and they can all go home singing > See? There’s nothing to see here! Just like we told y’all a year ago!" ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/116 "2023-09-05T15:10:37Z")
The vote to dismiss the majority of impeachment charges lost 22-8. That sound good, but it will take 21 votes to convict. If we assume those 8 Senators are guaranteed “not guilty” votes, that leaves a pretty thin margin. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/117 "2023-09-05T15:15:05Z")
Umm, according to an update from Texas Tribune (do not know if they are a reliable source or not), the 22-8 vote was: > [@](#): > > a pretrial motion to exclude all evidence before January 2023. The vote to dismiss the charges was 24-6 against. Source: [Ken Paxton impeachment trial live updates | The Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/05/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-live-updates/) Press on. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/118 "2023-09-05T15:18:31Z")
Thanks, I think Patrick said they’ve got 20 or so motions to get through today and it looks like I got confused. Appreciate the correction! I think we can assume those 6 at least are guaranteed “not guilty” votes, which gives more room for possible conviction. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/119 "2023-09-05T16:01:40Z")
So, at the very least they _seem_ to have started with the intent that there **be** a trial. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/120 "2023-09-05T16:34:49Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Texas Tribune (do not know if they are a reliable source or not), I consider them a very reliable source. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608.md?page=7)