After the House Committee on General Investigating recommended the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, citizens took to social media to share their thoughts.
“It’s another witch hunt. This time, it’s not Trump,” said one citizen.
Notably, the impeachment referral comes just days after Paxton called for the resignation of House Speaker Dade Phelan (R–Beaumont) for allegedly running the House while intoxicated.
The committee’s impeachment recommendation largely rehashes the ongoing indictment of Paxton on securities fraud charges, which has been likened to a “political prosecution” for eight years and has been the focus of multiple campaigns. Besides the indictment, the committee report focuses on allegations of bribery and abuse of office by four former employees of the Office of the Attorney General who say they were fired unfairly.
“As a displaced Texan who follows Texas politics, I want to ask… ‘what the hell is going on??’ Can [Phelan] be removed from office in any other fashion besides waiting until 2024?” questioned one woman.
Paxton has alleged that the impeachment is punishment both for questioning Phelan and for regularly fighting the Biden administration:
There is a reason CNN called Texas “a legal graveyard for Biden policies.” I am doing exactly what voters elected me to do. It is a sad day for Texas as we witness the corrupt political establishment unite in this illegitimate attempt to overthrow the will of the people and disenfranchise the voters of our state.
Paul Davis, a North Texas attorney, clearly highlighted Paxton’s impact on the Biden administration.
If you want #Texas to continue to have an Attorney General that keeps the Biden administration in check for violating the Constitution and US law, call your Texas House rep now to demand a "no" vote on this ridiculous politically motivated impeachment of Ken Paxton.…
— Paul M. Davis (@fireduptxlawyer) May 26, 2023
Meanwhile, as the Texas House kills conservative priorities, one citizen cuts to the heart of the matter.
There are very few adults in #txlege
— Wes Brumit (@dfwjwb) May 26, 2023
Nevertheless, several citizens said the impeachment proceedings should be allowed to play out and shed light on all allegations against Paxton.
“Hasn’t he used his position to avoid indictment for multiple years? If he’s innocent, he has nothing to fear. The truth never fears being questioned,” said one man.
After a House floor vote—where a majority is needed to approve impeachment—the Texas Senate would hold the impeachment proceedings. A two-thirds majority would be required to remove Paxton from office.
