TEXAS, USA — A retiring state senator has called for the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton to be reopened months after voting to acquit.
State Sen. Drew Springer, a Republican from North Texas, sent a letter to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and his Senate colleagues asking if there was a legal way to reopen the impeachment proceedings.
The letter comes after Paxton recently decided to not contest the facts of the whistleblower lawsuit filed against him and accept whatever the judge decides.
Springer said in the letter, "While AG Paxton claims this decision is not an admission of guilt, the fact of the matter is it is an admission of guilt. He can't accept the whistleblower's claims against him while touting that he's innocent against those very claims."
The whistleblower lawsuit was filed in 2020 by four of Paxton's former top aides, who claim they were fired after they accused Paxton of misusing his office. That lawsuit and proposed settlement led to Paxton's impeachment and trial, where he was eventually acquitted. Springer was one of the 16 senators who voted to acquit Paxton on all impeachment articles during September's trial.
Following the acquittal, the whistleblowers decided to move forward with the lawsuit in Travis County, where Paxton has been ordered to sit for a deposition. Some saw Paxton's move to not contest the lawsuit as a way to avoid the deposition before the judge ordered him to appear regardless.
Paxton is required to sit for the deposition on Feb. 1.