# 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:** 7
**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, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/121 "2023-09-05T16:49:34Z")
And that’s good enough for me. More from them: [quote] Senators also took individual votes to dismiss certain impeachment articles or to temporarily hold some articles in abeyance. They resoundingly rejected all motions. Six Republican senators voted yes on every motion to dismiss, while five Republican Senators voted to dismiss some of the impeachment articles. Seven Republican senators voted no on all of the motions, along with all Democratic senators. [quote] So it looks like there are 5 ‘critical’ Senators, as 19 seem prepared to vote to convict and 6 are die-hard ‘No’ voters (there are 30 Senators, 18 Republican and 12 Democrat). Should be an interesting time in Texas… ---
**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:** [September 5, 2023, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/122 "2023-09-05T19:47:44Z")
Anyone know who this overly tanned man in the Paxton impeachment trial is behind the speaker’s podium. Make-up or fake bake? Trump wannbe? [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/THNamYJ.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/eUCBrTV) ---
**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:** [September 5, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/123 "2023-09-05T19:52:01Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Anyone know who this overly tanned man in the Paxton impeachment trial is behind the speaker’s podium. I ran a Google reverse image search, but the image is really fuzzy so it wasn’t able to find anything. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/124 "2023-09-05T20:03:09Z")
I’m pretty sure that is [Tony Buzzbee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Buzbee). If that’s not him, it looks like him and he is an attorney present at that hearing for Paxton’s side. He’s pretty infamous in Houston due to his Plaintiff lawyer TV ads, running for Mayor, and representing the Plaintiff massage therapists in the [DeShaun Watson football/massage scandal](https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2022/6/16/22346818/deshaun-watsons-sexual-assault-allegations-explained) (_Rusty Hardin, another famous TX lawyer, represented Watson; Hardin is an attorney for the prosecution at the Paxton impeachment trial_). Other stuff like that. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/125 "2023-09-05T20:10:47Z")
There’s a picture of Buzbee sitting next to Paxton in this article, wearing the same yellow tie, but with a somewhat more normal skin tone. [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/texas-ag-ken-paxton-pleads-not-guilty-to-impeachment-charges-after-senate-advances-case-to-trial/ar-AA1ghDnX](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/texas-ag-ken-paxton-pleads-not-guilty-to-impeachment-charges-after-senate-advances-case-to-trial/ar-AA1ghDnX) Might just be a bad picture. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2023, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/126 "2023-09-06T00:43:39Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Might just be a bad picture. Agreed; if you look at the shades of color on the suits as well they look off too. I think the color and focus are not very good. It’s almost like a screenshot from an old VHS tape. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/127 "2023-09-06T00:54:32Z")
The first day of the trial’s over and I think it’s pretty representative of what we can expect to see. The House Managers offered a 17-minute opening statement that succinctly summarized the case their going to make through evidence and witness testimony over the course of the trial. Paxton’s attorneys offered a 57-minute stemwinder that jumped all over the place, denied everything, and made subtle (and some not-so-subtle) allusions to the political consequences for Senators of removing Paxton. Oh, and Tony Buzbee called the House Speaker a drunk. They reconvene at 9:00 tomorrow. I’m not going to get any work done this week. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2023, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/128 "2023-09-06T00:57:38Z")
I hope the Senators don’t give into terrorism. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/129 "2023-09-06T01:03:36Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > If we assume those 8 Senators are guaranteed “not guilty” votes, that leaves a pretty thin margin. It is possible that they felt you cannot be impeached for actions before the last election as a legal point. Unlikely but possible. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2023, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/130 "2023-09-06T01:07:19Z")
They don’t give; they take! ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/131 "2023-09-06T02:08:48Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > They reconvene at 9:00 tomorrow. I’m not going to get any work done this week. Is the trial broadcast live anywhere? I love watching a good takedown as much as anyone. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/132 "2023-09-06T02:32:11Z")
It’s being broadcast via the [Texas Senate website](https://www.senate.texas.gov/) or on [the Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/). I’ll second @ThelmaLou’s opinion above that the Trib is an excellent source for reporting on Texas politics. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/133 "2023-09-06T13:58:19Z")
I happened upon part of the opening statements on Cspan or something during the middle of the night. I’ve never really seen too many real trial opening statements before. I wonder if it is typical to talk the way Paxton’s attorneys did? The second guy was trying to be folksy (?) or something and he sucked at it. So much snark and insults and wandering from one topic to another. I was really surprised to see that sort of opening _not_ in a bad movie. I’m much more curious now about the case and especially about the 6’6" guy mentioned more than once. I admit I’m not sure why his height matters but it was brought up in such a way as to seem it does. Comical isn’t really the correct word to use to describe what little I saw, but the correct word to use is elusive to me. smh ---
**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 6, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/134 "2023-09-06T14:03:08Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > Comical isn’t really the correct word to use to describe what little I saw, but the correct word to use is elusive to me. Farcical comes to mind. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/135 "2023-09-06T14:03:53Z")
Paxton’s attorneys’ opening statement seemed like a perfect illustration of the old lawyer’s axiom: if the law’s not on your side, argue the facts. If the facts aren’t on your side, argue the law. If neither’s on your side, pound on the table. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/136 "2023-09-06T14:08:31Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > > [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > > > Comical isn’t really the correct word to use to describe what little I saw, but the correct word to use is elusive to me. > > Farcical comes to mind. Yes, that’s the one. Thank you. ---
**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 6, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/137 "2023-09-06T17:24:31Z")
Given the political clown car the defense attorneys are playing to, their approach to the case makes sense in that context. If this was in front of a neutral judge and 12 neutral citizens that’d be suicide. Their goal is to convince the few R senators who aren’t already convinced, that the whole thing is a joke meant to score political points for the Demon-crats. and/or that if they (any of the R senators) do vote guilty, they will be run out of political town on a rail and/or be lucky to escape with their political lives, much less get away from a continuous barrage of death threats from RWT nutbags. Given that sordid goal, they did a decent job. ---
**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:** [September 6, 2023, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/138 "2023-09-06T20:03:53Z")
This is one of the most hilarious trial proceedings I’ve watched. Most of the arguments back and forth between counsels are over mundane procedural matters of evidence production. The defense strategy on cross examination appears to present emails, letters, etc. to the witness that he has never seen and ask him do you know so-and-so, what do they do, do you understand what this document means. And then try and present a gotcha on things that were procedural in the office. What a waste of time. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2023, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/139 "2023-09-06T20:24:47Z")
Have they started asking why wookies would want to live on Endor yet? ---
**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:** [September 6, 2023, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ken-paxton-texas-ag-facing-impeachment-from-fellow-republicans-is-impeached-on-may-27-2023/984608/140 "2023-09-06T20:34:52Z")
No, but apparently dropping the name of the elected AG from official letterhead is a greater violation to Texans than using your position as an elected official to assist one of your donors in a civil dispute. [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=6) [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=8)