On July 17, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a gag order to participants of the upcoming impeachment trial of suspended Texas attorney general Ken Paxton. In a statement released by his office, Patrick says that he has fielded many questions about the trial slated for Sept. 5.
“On June 21, the Senate passed rules of impeachment 25-3,” Patrick said in a statement released from his office. “As presiding officer in the impeachment trial, all 31 senators and I are subject to communication rules which prohibit discussing the merits of the trial.”
In his statement, Patrick said that the upper chamber of the Texas Legislature has set up a website for citizens to receive updates on the proceedings. He added that the gag order imposed on both sides is included on the website and that he has issued a Discovery Order requiring the House Board of Managers to provide Paxton with certain information.
On July 5, Austin Journal reported that the Texas House of Representatives voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton during the final days of the 88th legislative session in May. A panel recommended that Paxton be brought up on charges of corruption and other irregularities arising from his office’s purported attempt to have lawmakers settle a $3.3 million lawsuit settlement in a whistleblower case against him. Austin Journal reported that Paxton faces 20 articles of impeachment. While it’s the Senate’s responsibility to determine whether Paxton remains the state’s attorney general, his wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) was prevented by legislators of casting a vote in his trial, Austin Journal reported citing ABC News.
A cadre of Houston attorneys are involved in the trial, with Tony Buzbee leading Paxton’s defense team while counterparts Dick DeGuerin and Rusty Hardin helm the prosecution, according to Austin Journal. The Texas Tribune reported that Patrick said anyone who violates the orders will be subject to a contempt charge, jail time, and a fine.