Abbott taps former Secretary of State to temporarily head the Texas Attorney General’s office amid Paxton’s legal troubles.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas, acting swiftly in the wake of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment, appointed John Scott as the interim Attorney General. Scott, a seasoned attorney with years of experience in litigation, will temporarily oversee the office until Paxton’s Senate trial begins. Paxton, facing allegations of bribery, abuse of office, and securities fraud, had been suspended after the Texas House voted overwhelmingly in favor of his impeachment.
Abbott’s decision to appoint Scott was made just days after the House vote, where 60 of the 85 Republican members voted to impeach Paxton. The decision came amidst growing concerns over Paxton’s alleged misconduct, which is being investigated by the FBI. Despite these charges, Paxton has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the impeachment proceedings were politically motivated.
Scott, who previously served as Texas Secretary of State, has vast experience in litigation, handling cases across various levels of the justice system. His expertise is expected to help stabilize the Attorney General’s office during Paxton’s suspension and pending trial. Governor Abbott praised Scott’s qualifications and stated that his legal background made him the ideal candidate for the role.
The impeachment process has divided the state’s political landscape, with some Republican members of the state legislature supporting Paxton’s removal and others standing by him. Paxton’s legal team has been vocal about the accusations, calling the charges politically driven, and vowing to fight the allegations in court. Paxton also faces an ongoing trial related to securities fraud dating back to 2015.
The articles of impeachment have been delivered to the state Senate, which will conduct a trial to determine whether Paxton should be permanently removed from office. The Senate trial, which is expected to begin no later than August 28, could be highly contentious, with political implications that could extend beyond Texas’ state government. In an interesting twist, Paxton’s wife, State Senator Angela Paxton, could potentially serve on the jury.
As tensions rise, Abbott’s appointment of John Scott as the interim AG reflects his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the office during a period of legal uncertainty. While Scott’s tenure is expected to be temporary, his role will likely have a significant impact on the direction of the office as the trial unfolds.
