Challenges Faced by Ken Paxton: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Ken Paxton. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr. is an American politician and lawyer, currently serving as the attorney general of Texas since 2015. A Republican, he formerly served in the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives. Paxton has faced legal troubles, including securities fraud indictments and an impeachment trial centered on accusations of bribery and abuse of office, ultimately resulting in his acquittal.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1933: Securities Act of 1933 Allegedly Violated

In 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil enforcement action against Ken Paxton for violating provisions of the Securities Act of 1933.

1934: Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Allegedly Violated

In 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil enforcement action against Ken Paxton for violating provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

2013: Joe Straus Re-elected as Speaker

In 2013, Joe Straus was re-elected as Speaker of the Texas House. Paxton had previously pulled out of the Speaker's race before the vote.

July 28, 2015: Paxton Indicted on Criminal Charges

On July 28, 2015, Ken Paxton was indicted on three criminal charges by a state grand jury: two counts of securities fraud and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators. This marked the first such criminal indictment of a Texas Attorney General in thirty-two years.

August 3, 2015: Paxton Arrested and Booked

On August 3, 2015, Ken Paxton was arrested and booked following the unsealing of the grand jury indictment. He pleaded not guilty, characterizing the case as a political witch-hunt.

2015: Joe Straus Re-elected as Speaker

In 2015, Joe Straus was re-elected as Speaker of the Texas House. Paxton had previously pulled out of the Speaker's race before the vote.

2015: Indicted on Securities Fraud Charges

In 2015, Ken Paxton was indicted on state securities fraud charges relating to activities prior to taking office; he has pleaded not guilty.

June 2016: Virgin Islands AG drops subpoena for Exxon's records

In June 2016, U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general Claude Walker dropped a subpoena for Exxon's records, after Ken Paxton requested to intervene in the case, stating the subpoena criminalized speech and thought.

June 2016: Federal judge grants preliminary injunction against persuader rule

In June 2016, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction against the Department of Labor's "persuader rule". Ken Paxton called the injunction "a victory for the preservation of the sanctity of attorney-client confidentiality".

June 2016: Supreme Court issues split ruling on DAPA

In June 2016, the Supreme Court issued a split 4-4 ruling in the case United States v. Texas regarding President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) executive action. The split ruling left a 2015 lower-court ruling invalidating Obama's plan in place.

October 2016: SEC Complaint Against Paxton Conditionally Dismissed

In October 2016, U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III conditionally dismissed the SEC's complaint against Ken Paxton, giving the SEC two weeks to refile an amended complaint. The SEC refiled, alleging Paxton's investment club required members to accept the same risks and forbade members from profiting off others' investments. The SEC further alleged that Paxton did not properly disclose his Servergy ownership stake on his taxes.

2016: Paxton intervenes in lawsuit regarding school district homestead exemptions

In 2016, Ken Paxton intervened in a lawsuit challenging the practice of school districts reducing or repealing their local optional homestead exemptions.

2016: Paxton sues Obama administration over overtime rule

In 2016, Ken Paxton sued the Obama administration over a 2016 rule by the United States Department of Labor which would have made five million additional workers eligible for overtime pay.

2016: Paxton sides with ExxonMobil in climate change probe suit

In 2016, Ken Paxton was one of eleven Republican state attorneys general who sided with ExxonMobil in the company's suit to block a climate change probe by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

2016: SEC Files Civil Enforcement Action Against Paxton

In 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil enforcement action against Ken Paxton in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

2016: UT Austin professors sue to ban concealed handguns from campus

In 2016, three University of Texas at Austin professors sued in an effort to ban concealed handguns from campus, blocking the state's campus carry law. Paxton called the lawsuit "frivolous" and moved to dismiss.

2016: Voter ID Law Struck Down

In 2017, the San Antonio Express-News criticized the state's voter identification law, which Paxton seeks to have reinstated after it was struck down by United States District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christi. The judge found the measure in 2016 to be a violation of the Voting Rights Act.

March 2017: Venue Change Granted in Paxton's Trial

In March 2017, District Judge George Gallagher granted the prosecution's motion for a change of venue in Ken Paxton's trial, moving it to Houston in Harris County. Gallagher also denied Paxton's motion to dismiss one of the charges against him.

March 2017: Civil Securities Fraud Case Against Paxton Dismissed

In March 2017, Judge Mazzant dismissed the civil securities fraud case against Ken Paxton, ruling that Paxton had "no plausible legal duty" to inform investors about earning a commission. The dismissal with prejudice prevented the SEC from bringing new action on the same claim. The dismissal of the SEC case did not directly impact the state criminal case.

May 2017: AG's efforts to enact stricter voter ID laws are delayed

By May 2017, the Office of the AG's "efforts to enact and enforce the strictest voter ID law in the nation were so plagued by delays, revisions, court interventions and inadequate education that the casting of ballots in the 2016 election was inevitably troubled".

May 2017: Appeals Court Sides with Paxton on Venue Transfer

In May 2017, the Fifth Court of Appeals of Texas agreed with Ken Paxton that the transfer of his trial to Houston required assignment of the case to a new judge to replace Judge Gallagher, voiding all orders issued by Judge Gallagher after the change of venue.

2017: Joe Straus Re-elected as Speaker

In 2017, Joe Straus was re-elected as Speaker of the Texas House. Paxton had previously pulled out of the Speaker's race before the vote.

2017: Defended Texas in Gerrymandering Lawsuit

In 2017, Ken Paxton defended Texas in a federal lawsuit involving allegations that Texas's congressional districts were gerrymandered, eventually winning on appeal at the Supreme Court.

November 2018: Court Invalidates Order Approving Attorneys' Fees

In November 2018, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals invalidated the trial court's order approving payments of attorneys' fees to the special prosecutors in Ken Paxton's case. The court directed the lower court to issue payments in accordance with an approved fee schedule, siding with Collin County commissioners.

2019: Paxton Files Motion to Move Case to Collin County

In 2019, Ken Paxton filed a motion to move his case from Harris County to his native Collin County.

October 2020: Paxton's Aides Accuse Him of Misconduct

In October 2020, seven of Ken Paxton's top aides sent a letter to the office's director of human resources, accusing Paxton of improper influence, abuse of office, bribery, and other crimes. They reported providing information to law enforcement and requested an investigation. Paxton denied misconduct and refused to resign. By the end of the month, all seven whistleblowers had left the office.

October 2020: Accusations of Bribery and Abuse of Office

In October 2020, several high-level assistants in Ken Paxton's office accused him of "bribery, abuse of office and other crimes."

December 8, 2020: Paxton Sues States Over Election Results

On December 8, 2020, Ken Paxton sued the states of Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, alleging unconstitutional actions in their presidential balloting and asking the United States Supreme Court to invalidate the states' sixty-two electoral votes to allow Trump to be declared the winner. The case was quickly dismissed on December 11.

December 2020: Sued Austin over COVID-19 Restrictions

In December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ken Paxton sued the city of Austin when the city implemented restrictions preventing indoor dining and drinking on New Years weekend amid surging COVID-19 cases.

2020: Human Trafficking Unit secured no convictions

In 2020, Ken Paxton's human trafficking unit did not secure a single human trafficking conviction

2020: Aided Trump's Efforts to Overturn Election Results

In 2020, after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidential election, Ken Paxton aided Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the results by filing the unsuccessful Texas v. Pennsylvania case in the U.S. Supreme Court.

2020: Ethics Complaint Filed After Election Challenge

In 2020, after Paxton sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Galveston Democrats filed an ethics complaint with the State Bar of Texas, alleging professional misconduct.

2020: Former Staff Sue Paxton's Office

In 2020, four former members of the Texas AG's Office sued the Office of the Attorney General, alleging that Ken Paxton fired them for reporting misconduct to law enforcement, a form of illegal retaliation under the state's Whistleblower Act.

March 2021: Lawsuit against Austin and Travis County over Mask Mandates

In March 2021, Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Austin as well as Travis County for continuing their local mask wearing requirements after Governor Abbott had signed an order ending the statewide mask-wearing mandate.

May 2021: Reversal of Complaint Dismissal

In May 2021, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals reversed the initial dismissal of the ethics complaint against Paxton, ordering the Bar to investigate.

October 2021: Court Rejects Paxton's Appeal in Whistleblower Suit

In October 2021, the Texas Third Court of Appeals rejected Ken Paxton's appeal, affirming the trial court's order, in a lawsuit filed by former members of the Texas AG's Office alleging they were fired for reporting misconduct. Paxton had claimed the Whistleblower Act did not apply to his actions.

2021: Human Trafficking Unit secured four convictions

In 2021, Ken Paxton's human trafficking unit secured four human trafficking convictions

2021: Court of Appeals Agrees to Move Case to Collin County

In 2021, the 1st Court of Appeals in Houston agreed with Ken Paxton's motion to move his case from Harris County to his native Collin County.

May 2022: Lawyer Discipline Sues Paxton

In May 2022, the Bar's Commission for Lawyer Discipline sued Paxton in Collin County District Court, asking the court to find that Paxton had acted unethically in seeking to subvert the 2020 presidential election.

September 2022: Process Server Incident

In September 2022, a process server alleged in an affidavit for the court that when he attempted to serve a subpoena to Ken Paxton at his home, Paxton avoided service, leading to a confrontation. Paxton responded that the process server "yelled unintelligibly, and charged toward me. I perceived this person to be a threat".

February 2023: DOJ Assumes Investigation

Also in February 2023, the U.S. Justice Department's Public Integrity Section in Washington assumed an investigation of Ken Paxton that had previously been managed by federal prosecutors in Texas.

February 2023: Tentative Settlement Agreement

In February 2023, Ken Paxton reached a tentative settlement with whistleblowers, agreeing to pay them $3.3 million. Neither side admitted fault, but Paxton apologized for calling them 'rogue employees.' The settlement depended on state funding approval.

May 2023: Impeachment by Texas House of Representatives

In May 2023, Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House of Representatives following accusations that he abused his power to assist a wealthy donor in exchange for possible benefits.

May 2023: Settlement Deadline Passes

In May 2023, a deadline passed without payment, meaning the settlement did not come into effect.

May 23, 2023: Paxton Accuses Phelan of Intoxication and Demands Resignation

On May 23, 2023, Ken Paxton accused Texas Speaker Phelan of performing his duties while intoxicated and demanded his resignation, as well as an investigation into Phelan. Phelan responded by stating that Paxton's accusations were an effort to save face due to the investigation into Paxton.

May 25, 2023: House Committee recommends Paxton be impeached

On May 25, 2023, the Republican-led House General Investigating Committee unanimously recommended that Ken Paxton be impeached and filed 20 articles of impeachment following their investigation.

May 27, 2023: Paxton Impeached by Texas House

On May 27, 2023, Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House with a vote of 121-23, resulting in his suspension from office pending a Senate trial. Brent Webster became the acting attorney general until Governor Abbott appointed John B. Scott as interim attorney general three days later. Paxton's salary was suspended during this time.

June 2023: Court Rules Paxton Securities Fraud Case Should Stay in Harris County

In June 2023, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals sided with the prosecution and overturned lower courts' rulings. The court held that the securities fraud case against Ken Paxton should remain in Harris County.

June 21, 2023: Senate bars Angela Paxton from voting in husband's impeachment trial

On June 21, 2023, the Senate voted to bar Angela Paxton, Ken Paxton's wife, from voting in his impeachment trial, though she was still required to attend. Her presence made it more difficult to reach the two-thirds vote needed for conviction.

August 2023: Lawyers File Complaint to Prevent Paxton from Practicing Law

In August 2023, a week before Paxton's impeachment trial started in the state Senate, fourteen lawyers filed a complaint with the State Bar, seeking to prevent Paxton from practicing law.

September 5, 2023: Paxton's Impeachment Trial Begins

On September 5, 2023, Ken Paxton's impeachment trial began in the Texas Senate. Paxton pleaded "not guilty," and the Senate rejected motions to dismiss the charges.

September 2023: Acquitted by the Texas Senate

In September 2023, the Texas Senate voted 16–14 to acquit Ken Paxton of all articles of impeachment, ending his suspension from office.

September 2023: Texas Supreme Court Ruling

In September 2023, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the attorney general is subject to the Whistleblower Act.

September 16, 2023: Paxton Acquitted in Impeachment Trial

On September 16, 2023, Ken Paxton was acquitted in the Texas Senate of all articles of impeachment. The acquittal cleared the path for Paxton to resume his duties as attorney general.

October 2023: Paxton's Trial Scheduled for April 15, 2024

In October 2023, the Harris County District Court scheduled Ken Paxton's trial to begin on April 15, 2024.

December 2023: Threatened Prosecution in Kate Cox Abortion Case

In December 2023, after a Texas judge ruled that Kate Cox qualified for an abortion, Ken Paxton threatened to prosecute doctors and stated that Texas hospitals that allowed the abortion could "be liable for negligent credentialing". He also appealed the ruling, which led to Cox leaving Texas to obtain an abortion.

December 2023: Texas AG's office sued by Seattle Children's Hospital over subpoena for medical information

In December 2023, the Texas Attorney General's office was sued by Seattle Children's Hospital for subpoenaing private medical information about minors of Texas residence who may have received gender-affirming medical care. The AG's office responded that it was investigating the hospital for deceptive trade practices.

2023: Swatting of American Politicians

In 2023, the swatting of American politicians occurred and public servants and politicians around the U.S. reported swatting incidents, including Ken Paxton and his wife Angela Paxton whose home was subject to a prank police report on January 1, 2024.

January 1, 2024: Paxton's Home Subject to Swatting Incident

On January 1, 2024, Ken Paxton and his wife Angela Paxton reported that their home had been the target of a swatting incident while they were away. They also reported that their home address had been improperly released (doxxed).

March 26, 2024: Securities Fraud Charges Dropped

On March 26, 2024, prosecutors agreed to drop the state securities fraud charges against Ken Paxton under the terms of a pretrial agreement.

April 15, 2024: Paxton's Trial Scheduled

In October 2023, the Harris County District Court scheduled Ken Paxton's trial to begin April 15, 2024.

December 2024: Paxton sues NCAA over trans women in women's sports

In December 2024, Ken Paxton sued the NCAA, arguing that allowing trans women to compete in women's sporting events was "false, deceptive, and misleading" to attendees.