Changes

On the 24th of that month the Committee heard the results of its investigating attorneys.  Among the allegations was that Paxton used his office to benefit a campaign donor by, among other things, 1) intervening in a lawsuit involving a charitable organization suing the donor for fraud, and then attempting to force the organization to settle for a fraction of the amount requested in the suit, 2) allegedly providing details of a search warrant to identify the people involved in a federal raid on the donor's business, and 3) attempting to interfere in a planned foreclosure on several properties owned by the donor by claiming that such sales were prevented by COVID-19 restrictions against "public gatherings" (while simultaneously chastising local governments for attempts to use COVID-19 as a basis for restricting public gatherings such as church worship services).

On the 24th of that month the Committee heard the results of its investigating attorneys.  Among the allegations was that Paxton used his office to benefit a campaign donor by, among other things, 1) intervening in a lawsuit involving a charitable organization suing the donor for fraud, and then attempting to force the organization to settle for a fraction of the amount requested in the suit, 2) allegedly providing details of a search warrant to identify the people involved in a federal raid on the donor's business, and 3) attempting to interfere in a planned foreclosure on several properties owned by the donor by claiming that such sales were prevented by COVID-19 restrictions against "public gatherings" (while simultaneously chastising local governments for attempts to use COVID-19 as a basis for restricting public gatherings such as church worship services).

Afterwards, in response, Paxton called for the resignation of state House Speaker [[Dade Phelan]] after Phelan appeared inebriated while presiding over the House.<ref>Video clips of the incident are widely circulated.  It should be known that the incident took place on May 11, 2023, the 122nd day of the Regular Session, when all bills originating in the House (excluding those on the Local and Consent Calendar) must either receive a vote by midnight or be considered dead.  The Democrats, as usual, engaged in the regular practice of [[chubbing]], so as to slow down the process; by the time of the incident the daily session has been going on for 14 hours and a particular bill was on its 23rd amendment; it has been argued that Phelan's actions were the result of fatigue.</ref>  Paxton also said that Phelan has repeatedly blocked many conservative measures in the House which were already approved in the state Senate under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor [[Dan Patrick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thelibertydaily.com/ken-paxton-calls-on-texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan-to-resign-after-debilitating-intoxication/|title=Ken Paxton Calls on Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan to Resign After “Debilitating Intoxication”|author=J. D. Rucker|date=May 23, 2023|accessdate=May 24, 2023}}</ref>

Afterwards, in response, Paxton called for the resignation of state House Speaker [[Dade Phelan]] after the media reported (and a video confirmed) that Phelan appeared inebriated while presiding over the House.<ref>Video clips of the incident are widely circulated.  It should be known that the incident took place on May 11, 2023, the 122nd day of the Regular Session, when all bills originating in the House (excluding those on the Local and Consent Calendar) must either receive a vote by midnight or be considered dead.  The Democrats, as usual, engaged in the regular practice of [[chubbing]], so as to slow down the process; by the time of the incident the daily session has been going on for 14 hours and a particular bill was on its 23rd amendment; it has been argued that Phelan's actions were the result of fatigue.</ref>  Paxton also said that Phelan has repeatedly blocked many conservative measures in the House which were already approved in the state Senate under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor [[Dan Patrick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thelibertydaily.com/ken-paxton-calls-on-texas-house-speaker-dade-phelan-to-resign-after-debilitating-intoxication/|title=Ken Paxton Calls on Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan to Resign After “Debilitating Intoxication”|author=J. D. Rucker|date=May 23, 2023|accessdate=May 24, 2023}}</ref>

On May 25, the Committee unanimously adopted articles of impeachment against Paxton, recommending his removal from office.  The Committee chair brought forth the resolution containing the impeachment articles at 1PM on Saturday, May 27, 2023; the Texas House voted 121-63 (with two members Present Not Voting, and three members absent, but only one with an excused absence) to impeach.  A total of 60 Republicans, some of whom are [[RINO]]s while others feared retaliation against themselves by the [[dark money]] [[oligarch]]s, voted for the rushed impeachment.  A total The Texas Senate (at a date to be determined) will have to hold a trial before deciding whether to remove him from office (which would also make him permanently ineligible for any other state or local office), a 2/3 vote of the 31 members is required.

On May 25, the Committee unanimously adopted articles of impeachment against Paxton, recommending his removal from office.  The Committee chair brought forth the resolution containing the impeachment articles at 1PM on Saturday, May 27, 2023; the Texas House voted 121-63 (with two members Present Not Voting, and three members absent, but only one with an excused absence) to impeach.  A total of 60 Republicans, some of whom are [[RINO]]s while others feared retaliation against themselves by the [[dark money]] [[oligarch]]s, voted for the rushed impeachment.  A total The Texas Senate (at a date to be determined) will have to hold a trial before deciding whether to remove him from office (which would also make him permanently ineligible for any other state or local office), a 2/3 vote of the 31 members is required.