Ken Paxton’s impeachment on Saturday is the biggest political earthquake in Texas this century. The fault lines between conservative and reactionary Republicans are now exposed. Some initial thoughts:
This is more excellent and comprehensive commentary. Hope this gets around. I'm not expecting an honest and open adjudication, though, in the senate. I'm looking for speeches and posturing that are sufficient for Patrick to claim he held due process, and hide behind that.
Deece , Watching Coke Stevenson’s grandson run a kangaroo court, without the benefit of anything approaching due process, presenting thrice baked heresay evidence , barely notifying the members of the facts ,then impeaching a sitting state wide office holder with nonexistent opposition made me think of three things. First, for an impeachment this important there was apparently little investigation or research done to bolster such an action. I know the committee said they had been working on different issues ever since Paxton hit up the Legislature for settlement money. This explanation sounds hollow and rehearsed. Second, impeachment is not a criminal proceeding. It is a political act used to remove bad office holders without waiting for the next election. You still need to make a case supported by strong evidence. Probable cause , beyond a reasonable doubt, reasonable suspicion are all immaterial.
Remember, this is political trial with removal from office as the goal and sanction.
Finally, be prepared and show some modicum of fundamental fairness. It. Is essential to keep the populace informed and not to put on a Soviet like show trial. Hitting that line between political and legal is difficult and it appeared to me the House did a minimal job of it. The die was cast before Murr approached the front mic.
What will the Senate do? Whatever Patrick says to do. It looks unlikely he could cut a legislative deal on property taxes or ,charter schools . So, as he always does, he will make a decision based solely on how it will benefit him most.
In all of my years, I don’t think I have seen a Texas office holder more corrupt and hypocritical and deserving of impeachment than Paxton . Nevertheless, If anyone could have understood the need for fair treatment and sensible rules it would it would have been Chairman Murr’s grandfather.
This is more excellent and comprehensive commentary. Hope this gets around. I'm not expecting an honest and open adjudication, though, in the senate. I'm looking for speeches and posturing that are sufficient for Patrick to claim he held due process, and hide behind that.
Thanks Deece, excellent analysis and questions to ponder - as always.
It was an amazing day and I am forever grateful of your play by play narrative, with the opportunity to ask questions about the process.
It could not have happened to a more deserving recipient than Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr.! Impeachment!
We now await the decision of the Senate.
What news is there of Abbott’s pick for Harris Co overseer of elections, (a disgrace to our right to vote)?
Thank you!! It’s help clarify my understanding of situation!! Let’s wait for the grand finally!!
Thank you, Deece. My only question is…what are the odds of this troglodyte actually being removed from office?
I assume it needs a 2/3 vote in the Senate? Is that within the realm of possibility? Can Abbott block it? Great post.
Deece , Watching Coke Stevenson’s grandson run a kangaroo court, without the benefit of anything approaching due process, presenting thrice baked heresay evidence , barely notifying the members of the facts ,then impeaching a sitting state wide office holder with nonexistent opposition made me think of three things. First, for an impeachment this important there was apparently little investigation or research done to bolster such an action. I know the committee said they had been working on different issues ever since Paxton hit up the Legislature for settlement money. This explanation sounds hollow and rehearsed. Second, impeachment is not a criminal proceeding. It is a political act used to remove bad office holders without waiting for the next election. You still need to make a case supported by strong evidence. Probable cause , beyond a reasonable doubt, reasonable suspicion are all immaterial.
Remember, this is political trial with removal from office as the goal and sanction.
Finally, be prepared and show some modicum of fundamental fairness. It. Is essential to keep the populace informed and not to put on a Soviet like show trial. Hitting that line between political and legal is difficult and it appeared to me the House did a minimal job of it. The die was cast before Murr approached the front mic.
What will the Senate do? Whatever Patrick says to do. It looks unlikely he could cut a legislative deal on property taxes or ,charter schools . So, as he always does, he will make a decision based solely on how it will benefit him most.
In all of my years, I don’t think I have seen a Texas office holder more corrupt and hypocritical and deserving of impeachment than Paxton . Nevertheless, If anyone could have understood the need for fair treatment and sensible rules it would it would have been Chairman Murr’s grandfather.