Challenges Faced by Ken Paxton: Obstacles and Turning Points

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

Ken Paxton is an American politician and lawyer serving as the Attorney General of Texas since 2015. A Republican, he previously served in the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives. He has faced legal challenges, including indictments and impeachment proceedings, related to alleged securities fraud, abuse of office, and bribery. Despite these controversies, he has remained a prominent figure in Texas politics, known for his conservative stances and legal battles against the federal government.

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

July 28, 2015: Paxton Indicted on Securities Fraud Charges

On July 28, 2015, Ken Paxton was indicted on three criminal charges, including two counts of securities fraud, marking 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 and claimed the case was a political witch-hunt.

2015: Indicted on State Securities Fraud Charges

In 2015, Paxton was indicted on state securities fraud charges related to activities before he took office; he pleaded not guilty.

June 2016: Walker drops Exxon's subpoena after Paxton intervenes

In June 2016, U.S. Virgin Islands attorney general Claude Walker dropped a subpoena for Exxon's records after Paxton requested to intervene in the case. Paxton stated that the subpoena was about the "criminalization of speech and thought."

June 2016: Federal Judge grants preliminary injunction against the persuader rule

In June 2016, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction against the Department of Labor's "persuader rule". 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 of United States v. Texas, which challenged President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) executive action. The split ruling left in place a 2015 lower-court ruling that invalidated Obama's plan.

October 2016: SEC Complaint Conditionally Dismissed, Then Refiled

In October 2016, U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III conditionally dismissed the SEC's complaint against Paxton, but gave the SEC two weeks to refile an amended complaint, which they did.

2016: Paxton intervenes in lawsuit challenging school district homestead exemptions

In 2016, Paxton intervened in a lawsuit challenging school districts that reduced or repealed their local optional homestead exemptions after a 2015 law was passed implementing property tax reductions.

2016: Paxton sues Obama administration over overtime rule

In 2016, Paxton sued the Obama administration over a Department of Labor rule that would have made five million additional workers eligible for overtime pay. He argued the regulations would have disastrous consequences for the economy.

2016: Paxton sides with ExxonMobil in climate change probe

In 2016, 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: Volkswagen settles lawsuit brought by 44 states

In 2016, Volkswagen settled a lawsuit brought by 44 states against the company for using software that allowed its vehicles to circumvent emissions limits. Texas's share of the settlement was $50 million.

2016: Paxton moves to dismiss lawsuit seeking to ban concealed handguns from UT Austin campus

In 2016, in response to a lawsuit by three University of Texas at Austin professors who sought to ban concealed handguns from campus, Paxton called the lawsuit "frivolous" and moved to dismiss.

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, alleging securities fraud related to Servergy investors.

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 Paxton's trial, moving it to Houston.

March 2017: Civil Securities Fraud Case Dismissed

In March 2017, Judge Mazzant dismissed the civil securities fraud case against Paxton, ruling he had "no plausible legal duty" to inform investors about commissions. This dismissal was with prejudice.

May 2017: Paxton files lawsuit regarding Texas SB 4 sanctuary cities law

In May 2017, Paxton filed a preemptive lawsuit to ascertain the constitutionality of Texas's SB 4 law, which imposes penalties on sanctuary cities. He argued the law is constitutional and vital for securing borders.

May 2017: Appeals Court Voids Orders After Venue Change

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

July 2017: Paxton leads Attorneys General threatening litigation over DACA

In July 2017, Paxton led a group of Republican Attorneys General and Idaho Governor Butch Otter in threatening the Trump administration with litigation if the president did not terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy.

2017: Defended Texas in Gerrymandering Lawsuit

In 2017, Paxton defended Texas in a federal lawsuit involving allegations that Texas's congressional districts were gerrymandered, and the state ultimately won on appeal at the Supreme Court.

November 2018: Court Invalidates Payment Approval to Special Prosecutors

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 Paxton's case.

October 2020: Paxton's Aides Accuse Him of Improper Influence and Bribery

In October 2020, seven of Ken Paxton's top aides sent a letter accusing him of improper influence, abuse of office, bribery, and other crimes, prompting investigations and the departure of all seven whistleblowers by the end of the month.

October 2020: Accusations of Bribery and Abuse of Office

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

December 2020: Sued Austin Over COVID-19 Restrictions

In December 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Paxton sued the city of Austin for implementing restrictions preventing indoor dining and drinking on New Year's weekend amid surging COVID-19 cases.

2020: Human Trafficking Unit Convictions

In 2020, Paxton's Human Trafficking Unit did not secure a single human trafficking conviction.

March 2021: Lawsuit Against Austin and Travis County Over Mask Mandates

In March 2021, Paxton filed a lawsuit against Austin and Travis County for continuing their local mask wearing requirements after Governor Abbott ended the statewide mandate.

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 the whistleblower suit filed by former members of the Texas AG's Office.

2021: Human Trafficking Unit Convictions

In 2021, Paxton's Human Trafficking Unit secured four convictions, two of which resulted in deferred adjudications.

May 2023: Paxton Impeached by Texas House of Representatives

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

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 and investigation. Phelan responded by accusing Paxton of attempting to save face amidst his own investigation.

May 25, 2023: House Committee Recommends Paxton's Impeachment

On May 25, 2023, the Republican-led House General Investigating Committee unanimously recommended that Paxton be impeached, filing 20 articles of impeachment detailing various allegations.

May 27, 2023: Paxton Impeached by Texas House

On May 27, 2023, Ken Paxton was impeached after the Texas House voted 121-23 in favor. As a result, Paxton was suspended from office pending a trial in the Texas Senate.

June 2023: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Rules Paxton's Case Stays in Harris County

In June 2023, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned lower courts' rulings and held that the securities fraud case against Paxton should stay 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, despite her presence being required.

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

In August 2023, a week before Paxton's impeachment trial, fourteen lawyers filed a complaint with the State Bar seeking to prevent Paxton from practicing law, accusing him of abuse of office and other misconduct.

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 voted down the motion to dismiss charges.

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

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

December 2023: Texas AG's office sued by Seattle Children's Hospital

In December 2023, the Texas Attorney General's office was sued by Seattle Children's Hospital for having subpoenaed private medical information about any minors of Texas residence who may have received gender-affirming medical care.

January 1, 2024: Paxton Home Subjected to Swatting Incident

On January 1, 2024, Ken Paxton and his wife Angela Paxton reported that their home was subjected to a swatting incident while they were not present, and their home address had been improperly released.

March 26, 2024: Paxton Reaches Agreement to Avoid Trial

On March 26, 2024, Ken Paxton reached an agreement with the special prosecutor's office, allowing him to avoid trial by agreeing to pay restitution, perform community service, and take ethics training.

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

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