A national coalition of state attorneys general has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of Texas in a case involving the State Bar of Texas and the leadership of the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG). The case, which revolves around allegations of politically motivated lawfare, specifically targets Attorney General Ken Paxton's top deputy, First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster.
The State Bar of Texas's Commission for Lawyer Discipline initiated disciplinary action against Paxton and Webster for their involvement in the Texas v. Pennsylvania litigation concerning the 2020 election. The allegations were deemed baseless, but the Commission appealed, leading the case to the Supreme Court of Texas.
In response to these actions, Attorney General Paxton expressed gratitude towards his colleagues for supporting him and condemned the State Bar's tactics. He stated, "The State Bar is using a disgraceful tactic: weaponizing politically-motivated lawfare to intimidate elected leaders and their staff from upholding the Constitution when it inconveniences their political agenda."
The amicus brief filed by the coalition of attorneys general emphasizes the dangers of politicizing disciplinary rules against elected officials and highlights the potential hindrance to the execution of constitutional duties. The brief warns against the weaponization of the attorney grievance process, stating that it "impedes the work of the people and frustrates the constitutional structure."
The case underscores a broader concern regarding the misuse of legal mechanisms for political purposes and the implications it may have on the ability of elected officials to fulfill their responsibilities without fear of retribution.