Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has come to the defense of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is facing an impeachment vote on Saturday.
Paxton is facing 20 articles of impeachment introduced by a House committee, and the impeachment vote was scheduled for 1 p.m. Cruz took to social media Saturday morning to defend the attorney general, describing the impeachment as "a travesty" and describing Paxton as "the strongest conservative AG in the country."
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"No attorney general has battled the abuses of the Biden admin more ferociously — and more effectively — than has Paxton," a post from Cruz's Twitter account read. "That’s why the swamp in Austin wants him out. The special interests don’t want a steadfast conservative AG. I understand that people are concerned about Ken’s legal challenges. But the courts should sort them out."
1/x What is happening to @KenPaxtonTX is a travesty.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 27, 2023
For the last nine years, Ken has been the strongest conservative AG in the country. Bar none. No attorney general has battled the abuses of the Biden admin more ferociously—and more effectively—than has Paxton.
Paxton expressed his gratitude to Cruz shortly after the senator posted his thread, replying with "Thank you, Senator."
Thank you, Senator.
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 27, 2023
Paxton also received the backing of former President Donald Trump, who expressed hope that Republicans in the Texas House will decide that "this is a very unfair process that should not happen."
Paxton has been accused of multiple crimes, including felonies, such as abusing his office powers through bribery, improper influence, and creating a culture of fear and retaliation. He is also accused of not paying any of his $3.3 million ordered payout for a lawsuit settlement from former aides who accused him of retaliation in 2020.
The attorney general has denied any wrongdoing and called for peaceful protests ahead of the vote, claiming state lawmakers were ignoring the will of the voters who reelected Paxton in November.
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“They are determined to ignore the law,” Paxton said at a press conference on Friday. “They have denied me the opportunity to present the evidence which contradicts their politically motivated narrative, and they are showcasing their absolute contempt for the electoral process.”
The vote needs a two-thirds majority in order to pass. If the vote does pass, Paxton will need to step down until he is tried in the state Senate.