Cops, Conspiracy Theories and Corruption: Ken Paxton’s Impeachment Trial Continues
AUSTIN, Texas – The fourth day of the impeachment of indicted and suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton has come to a close. Today, the Texas Senate heard testimony from former director of law enforcement, David Maxwell, and continued cross-examination of whistleblower Ryan Vassar.
Toplines:
For the third day in a row, Ken Paxton and his attorney Tony Buzbee were notably absent from the entirety of today’s proceedings.
A Trump-backed group is offering to compensate X (formerly known as Twitter) users to post supportive commentary of Paxton on the platform.
Ryan Vassar, who took the stand for a second day, testified that the Office of Attorney General kept a “blacklist” of reporters, citing different treatment of the press in comparison to other journalists.
David Maxwell, Ken Paxton’s former top cop, testified that the Attorney General coerced him to investigate Nate Paul’s debunked “conspiracy theories,” and alleged that he was threatened by Paxton for not pursuing the investigations.
While Maxwell would not elaborate on the full nature of Paul and Paxton’s investigations into several “conspiracy theories,” Maxwell did suggest that delving into such investigations would lead to more crimes committed by the Attorney General’s office.
Thus far, Paxton’s legal team’s primary strategy appears to be to paint the whistleblowers as “rogue” staffers who deserved to be fired.
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:
“Another day of Paxton’s impeachment trial is another day that Texans get closer to justice. Today’s testimonials by David Maxwell and Ryan Vassar show us the continued corruption and abuse of power from within the Attorney General’s office – not only toward his staffers, but toward the rule of law. In no way, shape or form should any elected official govern based on the desires of a donor, friend or colleague. This radical behavior puts our tax dollars, security and freedoms at risk – but Ken Paxton did just that. Each witness thus far has discussed allegedly warning the Attorney General of his involvement with Nate Paul. And with all that we know now – we can’t help but ask the question: Why?
“Texas is one of the largest, most prosperous states in our country – and all Texans deserve an Attorney General that’s laser-focused on expanding our freedoms instead of going on alleged crime sprees with their buddies.
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