Impeachment trial of Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton set to begin

On May 3, 2021, the impeachment trial of Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is set to begin. Texas House members are expected to take up the case against the embattled attorney general that day, and the trial is likely to last at least a few days.

Paxton has been accused of abusing his power by awarding lucrative civil litigation contracts to one of his political donors, as well as taking bribes from other out-of-state groups. Additionally, he has been accused of attempting to pressure county officials to change their vote in the 2020 presidential election, and other allegations of wrongdoing. 11 Republicans from the state House have already called for his resignation.

Although the impeachment trial is likely to be a partisan affair, observers have said the odds of the legislature voting to remove Paxton from office are slim. However, if the legislature were to vote to impeach Paxton, he would become the first statewide elected official in Texas history to have been removed from office.