Why was Ken Paxton impeached in 2023?

What triggered the impeachment

The chain of events began in the fall of 2020, when eight of Paxton’s most senior aides — his own hand-picked leadership team — jointly reported him to the FBI, alleging bribery and abuse of office to benefit donor Nate Paul.¹ Four of those aides were fired and sued under the Texas Whistleblower Act.

The impeachment itself was triggered when Paxton asked the Texas Legislature to use $3.3 million in taxpayer money to settle that whistleblower lawsuit. The House General Investigating Committee said Paxton’s “own request for taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct” is what prompted its investigation.²

What the 20 articles alleged

The articles of impeachment alleged that Paxton:²

• Gave preferential treatment to Nate Paul, using the powers of his office to intervene in Paul’s legal matters;
• Accepted a bribe — including an allegation that Paxton benefited when Paul employed a woman with whom Paxton was having an extramarital affair, and an allegation involving a home remodel;
• Retaliated against, fired, and made false statements about the whistleblowers who reported him;
• Obstructed justice in connection with his long-running securities fraud case;
• Made false statements regarding his financial interests to state authorities.

During the Senate trial, Paxton’s former chief of staff testified that Paxton confessed to the affair in 2018. Paxton’s own lawyers never directly disputed the affair allegation — they argued it wasn’t grounds for removal.³

The vote — and the acquittal

The acquittal means Paxton was never removed from office and stands not-convicted on every article. It does not erase the historical fact that 121 members of the Texas House — the large majority of them Republicans — reviewed the evidence and voted to impeach the top law enforcement officer of their own party.²