A new report from the Associated Press reveals that Texas state Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) is now under investigation by the Texas state bar association in connection to his efforts to get Joe Biden’s presidential election victories in four states thrown out. Late last year, Paxton filed an outlandish lawsuit with the U.S. Supreme Court, requesting the overturning of the election outcomes in four states where Biden won, and although the court refused to take up the case let alone grant Paxton’s wish, the proceedings revealed just how many Republicans were willing to engage in brazenly anti-democratic theatrics.
Now, Paxton is under investigation. The State Bar of Texas is, the Associated Press explains, “investigating whether state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election based on bogus claims of fraud amounted to professional misconduct.” Originally, the bar association decided against investigating a complaint against Paxton over his election antics, but the Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals, which oversees the bar, ordered an investigation.
As the Associated Press explains, after an initial response from Paxton, “bar staff will take up the case in a proceeding that resembles the grand jury stage of a criminal investigation,” with investigators “empowered to question witnesses, hold hearings and issue subpoenas to determine whether a lawyer likely committed misconduct.” Potential consequences in the event of a formal finding of misconduct on Paxton’s part include disbarment. This situation isn’t the only circumstance in which Paxton is facing serious scrutiny. At present, the FBI is investigating allegations that Paxton corruptly used his position as state attorney general for the benefit of a top donor.
