Categories
Uncategorized

Paxton Impeachment: What happens now?

Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton might finally face a measure of justice when the state legislature takes up 20 articles of impeachment against him as early as Friday.  But as the Texas Tribune points out in a handy “Texas Impeachment Primer,” the scheduled May 29th end of the legislative session and the fact that the Texas legislature meets only every two years bring some potential complications.

A simple majority in the state house would impeach Paxton, and thanks to Texas’s legislative rules that give the Speaker virtually unlimited power to bring anything to the floor when he wants, it’s possible Speaker Dade Phelan could introduce the 20 articles from the House General Investigating Committee and ask for a vote immediately.  More likely, however, they will take some time to read some evidence into the record.  With the end of the session just three days away, don’t expect an extensive grand jury presentation.  An impeachment would mean an automatic suspension for Paxton from undertaking any official duties, allowing the governor to make a “provisional” appointment.

Once a vote for impeachment is passed, the Senate can organize an investigation and trial.  Of course, this being Texas, the Senate could drop everything and convene a kangaroo court to boot him from office before heading for vacation.  More likely, however, the Senate will form an impeachment committee to lead the investigation.  Upon the investigation’s completion, the Senate can be recalled either by an agreement of the governor, lieutenant governor and Senate leader, or by a petition signed by half of the 32 senators.

Unlike the federal process, the way an impeachment trial takes place is not outlined in the state constitution.  The entire explanation of the trial in the Texas constitution reads:  “When the Senate is sitting as a Court of Impeachment, the Senators shall be on oath, or affirmation impartially to try the party impeached, and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators present.”  Nothing on who presides or who prosecutes. The Senate literally makes the rules up before it begins the trial.

But like the federal system, impeachment in Texas results only on removal from office.  The Senate can take a separate vote to bar him from holding office.  There’s no affiliated criminal indictment, but there’s also no absolution:  Paxton could be charged criminally.

And if you’re wondering, only two state officials have ever been successfully impeached and removed from office in Texas: Democratic Governor James E. “Pa” Ferguson for embezzlement in 1917 and state District Judge O.P. Carillo in 1975 for financial fraud and income tax evasion.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Florida anti-vaxxer/Taylor Swift stalker held by ICE after beating cop

17 minutes ago

Breitbart laying the consciousness of guilt on a little thick

42 minutes ago

Argentinian judge opens investigation into Milei’s crypto fuckery

1 hour ago

Hochul to make decision on removing Eric Adams soon

2 hours ago

DHS Secretary warns migrants to leave now or face deportation

12 hours ago

NYU College Republicans president forced out for heinous thoughtcrime of expressing sympathy for Barron Trump

15 hours ago

Next lunar probe landing at fucking 3:45 am EST on a Sunday

16 hours ago

Free speech champions triggered over silly Nintendo meme

17 hours ago

Delta plane crashes and flips at Toronto airport

18 hours ago

Wacky mix-up in Florida hate crime

19 hours ago

Four NYC Deputy Mayors to resign

19 hours ago

“Yes dummy”

20 hours ago

Shareholders lose $2.4 billion because CEO wasn’t seen with Xi

20 hours ago

Reich pressuring Romania to let sex traffickers off the hook

21 hours ago

The Washington Post is lying about us sending non-criminals to Guantanamo but we’re totally sending them to Guantanamo

22 hours ago

Suspect who “destroyed the men’s bathroom” in public park sought

22 hours ago

MAGA assclown intros bill making Trumpmas a national holiday

23 hours ago

Elon Musk nominates personal enforcer to serve as DC US Attorney

24 hours ago

Regime fires a shit ton of FAA employees

1 day ago

Turley says Homan’s threats “undermine” Jaydee’s “high ground”

1 day ago

Capitol rioter’s lawyer argues Trump pardoned child porn crime too

1 day ago

Milei accused of crypto “rug pull” in criminal complaint

1 day ago

Weyland-Yutani has the talent to tackle the xenomorph crisis

2 days ago

First Trump appeal hits Supreme Court

2 days ago

New York City bodegas now selling “loosie” eggs

2 days ago

White House plan for eggs apparently just blaming Biden

2 days ago

Constitutional law expert insists skeletons writhing underground

2 days ago

“Nobody’s gonna take advantage of Donald Trump”

2 days ago

North Carolinian flood victim agrees FEMA should be abolished

2 days ago

Tom Homan too chickenshit to send ICE after AOC

2 days ago

Alabamans informed Trump costing them $100 heating grant

2 days ago

Daily reporting on ICE arrests now monthly to “conserve resources”

2 days ago

“Two powerful successful handsome men”

2 days ago

Full Hitler mode activated

3 days ago

Cranky shark finally snaps at obnoxious, selfie-taking tourist

3 days ago

NYC to sue Trump Regime over $80 million FEMA “clawback”

3 days ago

Orange Chickenshit lets Israel handle his Hamas ultimatum

3 days ago

National Zero Off-Topic Friday: The other real Morrie Kessler

3 days ago

Reich DOJ finally moves to dismiss charges against Adams

4 days ago

Deadly California Cybertruck crash (probably) teen driver’s fault

4 days ago

MAGA octogenarian pleads guilty to shooting Ralph Yarl

4 days ago

Violent eruption possible in Palin family’s backyard again

4 days ago

Orange Plague to order end to COVID-19 vax mandates in schools

4 days ago

Bove afraid of “scrutiny” of personally intervening in Adams case

4 days ago

Welsh Bitcoin dumbass now just trying to buy garbage dump

4 days ago

Congolese artist killed filming anti-war music video in war zone

4 days ago

“No one mentioned that residents – legal residents – were going to have to go through this”: Trump voting wife of abducted man

4 days ago

Eric Adams comes out as Homansexual

4 days ago

Corey Lewandowski rejected for DHS chief of staff job

4 days ago

Shoplifter achievement unlocked

4 days ago

x
x
x
x
x
x