Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted of all 16 corruption charges at a historic impeachment trial that divided Republicans over whether to remove a powerful defender of former President Trump after years of scandal and criminal charges. The verdict reaffirmed Paxton’s durability and is a broader victory for Texas’ hard right after an extraordinary trial that put on display fractures within the GOP nationally heading into the 2024 elections, the Associated Press reports. Paxton was cleared by Senate Republicans, who include his wife, Angela, who was not allowed to vote
All but two of Angela Paxton's fellow 18 Republican senators consistently voted to acquit her husband on impeachment articles that accused him of misconduct, bribery and corruption. The Senate also voted to dismiss four impeachment articles that weren’t taken up at the trial. It clears the way for Paxton to reclaim his role as Texas’ top lawyer, more than three months after his impeachment in the Texas House forced him to step aside. Paxton still faces trial on felony securities fraud charges, remains under FBI investigation and is in jeopardy of losing his ability to practice law in Texas because of his baseless attempts to overturn the 2020 election. The jury of 30 senators spent about eight hours deliberating behind closed doors before emerging for the historic vote on Saturday. For nearly a decade, Paxton has elevated his national profile by having his office enter polarizing courtroom battles across the U.S., winning acclaim from Trump and the GOP’s hard right.
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