Changes

The '''Paxton Impeachment''' is the ongoing current [[impeachment and removal|impeachment and proposed removal]] of [[conservative]] [[Texas]] Attorney General [[Ken Paxton]] from office.  The trial in the Texas Senate is to begin at 9am on Sept. 5, and 3 senators have objected to the rules which have not been publicly disclosed as of June 21, 2023.<ref>https://www.texastribune.org/2023/06/20/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-senate-rules/</ref> The senators who voted against the pro-impeachment rules, which includes excluding Sen. Angela Paxton from participating and voting, were Senators Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin), [[conservative]] Bob Hall (R-Edgewood), and [[Ken Paxton]]'s wife, Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney).<ref>https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/texas/ken-paxton-impeachment-trial-rules/285-1a6ea7d6-3529-4ad4-91e6-6100d3d6c464</ref>

The '''Paxton Impeachment''' is the ongoing current [[impeachment and removal|impeachment and proposed removal]] of [[conservative]] [[Texas]] Attorney General [[Ken Paxton]] from office.  The trial in the Texas Senate is to begin at 9am on September 5, 2003.   

 

The impeachment of Paxton has resulted in a split between Republicans.  Both sides in the Republican party recognize that Paxton's actions and lawsuits against [[Biden Administration]] officials and Federal agencies, claiming overreach into state matters, have had a fair level of success in the courts, and are beneficial to overarching Republican goals of keeping the state politically conservative and desirable as a relocation destination for businesses and individuals (and, as a side benefit, maintaining Republican control over state politics, which the Republicans have managed to accomplish for nearly two decades).  Both sides also recognize, though, that Paxton has had long-standing legal and other issues involving very serious matters.

The impeachment of Paxton has resulted in a split between Republicans.  Both sides in the Republican party recognize that Paxton's actions and lawsuits against [[Biden Administration]] officials and Federal agencies, claiming overreach into state matters, have had a fair level of success in the courts, and are beneficial to overarching Republican goals of keeping the state politically conservative and desirable as a relocation destination for businesses and individuals (and, as a side benefit, maintaining Republican control over state politics, which the Republicans have managed to accomplish for nearly two decades).  Both sides also recognize, though, that Paxton has had long-standing legal and other issues involving very serious matters.

The Senate was to have announced the rules on June 20, 2023.  However, after numerous delays continuing into the following day, the rules were finally announced.<ref>https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/881/billtext/pdf/SR00035F.pdf#navpanes=0</ref> Notably, the Senate will meet on September 5, 2023, to sit as the Court of Impeachment, and that Articles XI, XII, XIII, and XIV will be held in abeyance (i.e. not considered at that time).  Witnesses will be required to testify in person and subject to cross-examination, the House managers and their attorneys will be limited to 24 hours to present their case (unless extended by agreement) and the standard of proof for any Article (all of which will be voted on separately) will be [[beyond a reasonable doubt]].  Also, Senator Hughes (if called as a witness or if he agrees to testify voluntarily) will not be subject to recusal as a juror; Senator Angela Paxton will be counted solely as present for purposes of counting the number of votes but cannot participate in any deliberations or vote on any matter.  Finally, although removal from office will be automatic if any Article is agreed on by the 2/3 vote required, a separate vote will be held to determine if removal will extend to any future office.

The Senate was to have announced the rules on June 20, 2023.  However, after numerous delays continuing into the following day, the rules were finally announced.<ref>https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/881/billtext/pdf/SR00035F.pdf#navpanes=0</ref> Notably, the Senate will meet on September 5, 2023, to sit as the Court of Impeachment, and that Articles XI, XII, XIII, and XIV will be held in abeyance (i.e. not considered at that time).  Witnesses will be required to testify in person and subject to cross-examination, the House managers and their attorneys will be limited to 24 hours to present their case (unless extended by agreement) and the standard of proof for any Article (all of which will be voted on separately) will be [[beyond a reasonable doubt]].  Also, Senator Hughes (if called as a witness or if he agrees to testify voluntarily) will not be subject to recusal as a juror; Senator Angela Paxton will be counted solely as present for purposes of counting the number of votes but cannot participate in any deliberations or vote on any matter.  Finally, although removal from office will be automatic if any Article is agreed on by the 2/3 vote required, a separate vote will be held to determine if removal will extend to any future office.

==Reactions==

==Reactions==