Paxton was impeached 121–23 by a Republican-led Texas House on 20 articles, including bribery

What happened

In fall 2020, eight of Paxton’s senior aides reported him to law enforcement. They alleged bribery and abuse of office tied to his dealings with Austin real estate investor Nate Paul, a campaign donor. All eight later left the agency, and four sued. ⁰¹

In February 2023, Paxton reached a tentative $3.3 million settlement with those four and asked the Legislature to fund it. ⁰¹ The House General Investigating Committee then opened its own inquiry. On May 24, 2023, its investigators testified publicly that Paxton had abused his office. ⁰²

On May 27, 2023, the House voted 121–23 to impeach Paxton on 20 articles, including bribery, abuse of public trust and obstruction of justice. He was suspended from office immediately. ⁰³

After a trial presided over by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the Senate acquitted Paxton on Sept. 16, 2023, on all 16 articles it tried. Conviction required 21 votes, and no article received more than 14. The Senate then voted 19–11 to dismiss the four articles it had set aside, and Paxton was reinstated. ^{04 05}

Why it matters

The charges were brought by Paxton’s own party. His senior aides, then House investigators, then 121 members of the Texas House all concluded his conduct warranted action, and he was suspended from office for nearly four months. ^{02 03}

Sworn testimony at the Senate trial put on the public record how the attorney general’s office was used on behalf of a donor, Nate Paul. The Senate acquittal ended the only proceeding that could have removed him from office. ⁰⁴

What the sources show

The articles of impeachment were charges approved by the House. ⁰³ The Senate voted on each article; none received the 21 votes needed to convict. ^{04 06}

Impeachment is a legislative proceeding, and the Senate’s verdict is not a court ruling. A related civil case involving the former aides is covered in a separate case file.