As the House debated legislation to tamp down on illegal border crossings, House Speaker Dade Phelan ordered that Attorney General Ken Paxton be kicked out of the chamber.
The event was first reported by State Rep. Steve Toth (R–The Woodlands) in a video posted to X, and confirmed to Texas Scorecard by Paxton’s office and other lawmakers who were present.
“Dade Phelan is doubling down on stupid,” said Toth. “We had Ken Paxton over in the House today to say hello and to look at legislation that we’re moving through the House and Dade Phelan actually sent the sergeant at arms to kick the attorney general out of the Texas House.”
Dade Phelan had the Sergeant at Arms remove our Attorney General @KenPaxtonTX from House Chambers. Paxton is the one who will defend the laws we pass and Dade’s doubling down on his failed impeachment madness. #TexLege pic.twitter.com/qWUvZ0YMX0
— Steve Toth (@Toth_4_Texas) October 26, 2023
Sources inside the House say Paxton was invited by several members of the chamber.
While access to the floor of the House is limited when business is being conducted, statewide officials and former members of the Texas House—of which Paxton is both—are regularly granted access.
The move comes as tensions have grown between Paxton and Phelan over the past several months.
In May, Paxton called for Phelan to resign following video footage of Phelan apparently presiding over the House while intoxicated. Days later, Phelan led the House’s impeachment of Paxton.
Paxton was later acquitted by the Senate.
Phelan’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
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