Major Controversies Surrounding Ken Paxton: A Detailed Timeline
A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Ken Paxton.
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.
2004: Analysis of voter fraud convictions in Texas
An analysis by KXAN found that 24 of 138 people convicted of voter fraud in Texas between 2004 and September 2020 spent time in jail.
2011: Immigrant Crime Statistics
In 2011, this is when the crime statistics were supposedly recorded for the undocumented immigrants.
2012: Montblanc pen incident
In 2012, surveillance video showed Paxton taking a Montblanc pen, worth $1,000, left behind at a metal detector. The pen was later returned.
June 2015: Paxton supports clerks refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples
In June 2015, after the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, Paxton offered support for clerks who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, stating he would be a public voice for those standing in defense of their rights.
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: Paxton opposes atheist group's legal action
In 2015, Ken Paxton opposed an atheist group's legal action seeking a halt to the reading of religious prayers before school board meetings, criticizing what he calls anti-Christian discrimination in Texas schools.
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.
December 2016: Paxton intervenes in school dispute over Christian poster
In December 2016, Ken Paxton intervened in a dispute in Killeen, Texas, where a middle school principal told a nurse's aide to take down a poster with a quote from Christian scripture. Paxton sided with the aide, who won in court.
2016: Paxton investigates 2016 Texas voting records to uncover voter fraud
By February 2017, as part of his "crusade" against voter fraud, Ken Paxton sought to investigate 2016 Texas voting records to uncover potential voter fraud, such as voting by non-citizens or in the name of the deceased.
2016: Paxton sues City of Austin over handgun carry
In 2016, Ken Paxton sued the City of Austin to allow license holders to openly carry handguns in Austin City Hall. Paxton prevailed in the suit, and the court ordered the city of Austin to pay a fine to the state for each day it prevented investigators from the attorney general's office from carrying firearms.
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: 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.
2016: Paxton seeks to reinstate state's voter identification law
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, who found the measure to be a violation of the Voting Rights Act. Paxton's office appealed the decision.
February 2017: Paxton investigates 2016 Texas voting records to uncover voter fraud
By February 2017, as part of his "crusade" against voter fraud, Ken Paxton sought to investigate 2016 Texas voting records to uncover potential voter fraud, such as voting by non-citizens or in the name of the deceased. Officials in Bexar County said there have been no major cases of voter fraud in San Antonio.
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.
March 2017: Paxton claims voter fraud exists in Texas
In March 2017, Ken Paxton told The Washington Times that he was convinced voter fraud exists in Texas, and that local election officials were not vigilant in detecting it.
May 2, 2017: ProPublica article reports no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Texas
According to a May 2, 2017, ProPublica article, there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Texas.
May 2017: AG's efforts to enact and enforce strictest voter ID law are plagued by delays
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: 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.
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: Paxton objects to school's prayer room for Muslim students
In early 2017, Ken Paxton objected to a Texas school's use of an empty classroom to allow its Muslim students to pray, claiming that the room excluded students of other faiths. The school superintendent called Paxton's press release a "publicity stunt".
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.
2018: False Claims about Immigrant Crime
In 2018, Paxton falsely claimed that undocumented immigrants had committed over 600,000 crimes since 2011 in Texas, a claim debunked by PolitiFact.
2018: Paxton claims affair ended.
Ken Paxton claimed his extramarital affair ended by 2018.
2018: Paxton's office spent less time on voter fraud cases
Paxton's office spent almost double the time working on voter fraud cases in 2021 as it did in 2018.
May 2020: Paxton opposes expansion of absentee voting
In May 2020, Ken Paxton opposed an expansion of absentee voting to voters who lack immunity to COVID-19. He publicly contradicted a district judge's ruling and persuaded the Texas Supreme Court to address the issue.
September 2020: Analysis of voter fraud convictions in Texas
An analysis by KXAN found that 24 of 138 people convicted of voter fraud in Texas between 2004 and September 2020 spent time in jail.
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 8, 2020: Paxton sues Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania
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 Supreme Court to invalidate their electoral votes. The case was quickly dismissed.
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: Paxton sues Harris County Clerk to block absentee ballot applications
During the 2020 election season, Ken Paxton sued Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins to block him from sending applications for absentee ballots to the county's registered voters. The Texas Supreme Court ultimately reversed lower court decisions and directed the trial court to enter an injunction against Hollins.
2020: Paxton's affair continued
In 2020, Ken Paxton's affair continued and he worked with Nate Paul to hire the woman.
2020: Aided Trump's Efforts to Overturn Election Results
In 2020, after Joe Biden won the U.S. presidential election, Paxton aided Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the result by making unfounded claims of election fraud.
2020: Complaint Filed Against Paxton for Seeking to Overturn 2020 Presidential Election
In 2020, after Paxton sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Galveston Democrats filed a complaint against Paxton with the State Bar of Texas, alleging professional misconduct.
2020: Paxton sued the federal government in Texas v. Garland over proxy voting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2023, Ken Paxton sued the federal government in Texas v. Garland, asserting that $1.7 trillion federal spending law passed by Congress for fiscal year 2023 is invalid because of the lack of a physical quorum in the U.S. House of Representatives at the time of the bill's passage. Paxton argued that the House's decision in 2020 to allow the use of proxy voting during the COVID-19 pandemic was unconstitutional.
2020: Paxton falsely claims Biden 'overthrew' Trump
In October 2021, Ken Paxton falsely claimed that Joe Biden "overthrew" Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
2020: Ethics lawsuit regarding 2020 election
Ken Paxton faced scrutiny for his attempts to subvert the 2020 presidential election.
2020: Paxton's office finds few voter fraud cases
Ken Paxton's office spent more than 22,000 hours looking for voter fraud after the 2020 election, finding only 16 cases of false addresses on registration forms out of nearly 17 million registered voters.
January 6, 2021: Spoke at Rally Before U.S. Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, Paxton spoke at the rally that preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
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.
May 2021: Dismissal of Ethics Complaint Reversed, Investigation Ordered
In May 2021, the Board of Disciplinary Appeals reversed the initial dismissal of an ethics complaint against Ken Paxton and ordered the Bar to investigate a possible violation of the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Misconduct.
July 9, 2021: The Guardian reports on Paxton's pursuit of election-related crimes
According to a July 9, 2021 article in The Guardian, "[F]ew prosecutors have pursued election-related crimes more than Paxton."
July 11, 2021: The New York Times reports on Paxton's voter fraud mission
According to a July 11, 2021 article in The New York Times, even though voter fraud is "very rare in the United States," Ken Paxton has "made it a mission" as attorney general to lay voter-charge charges.
July 2021: Paxton orders arrest of Hervis Rogers
In July 2021, Ken Paxton ordered the arrest of Hervis Rogers, a Black man who voted while on parole, for allegedly violating Texas election laws.
October 2021: Paxton falsely claims Biden 'overthrew' Trump
In October 2021, Ken Paxton falsely claimed that Joe Biden "overthrew" Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
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: Paxton's office spends more time on voter fraud cases
In 2021, Paxton's office spent almost double the time working on voter fraud cases as it did in 2018, recording over 22,000 staff hours but resolving only 16 prosecutions.
2021: Paxton's voter fraud unit closes few cases
In 2021, Paxton's voter fraud investigation unit had a budget of $1.9 million to $2.2 million, and by the end of the year, the office had closed only three cases of fraud.
2021: Paxton's office refuses to release work emails and text messages
In early 2021, Ken Paxton's office refused to provide his work emails and text messages sent or received while in Washington on January 6, after Texas news organizations requested them.
January 2022: Travis County DA gives Paxton deadline to comply
In January 2022, the Travis County district attorney gave Ken Paxton four days to comply with the state's open records law regarding his work emails and texts from January 6, 2021, or face a lawsuit.
February 18, 2022: Paxton issues opinion characterizing gender-affirming care as child abuse
On February 18, 2022, Paxton issued a written opinion characterizing gender-affirming health care for transgender youths as child abuse.
March 17, 2022: Paxton refers to Rachel Levine as a man on Twitter
On March 17, 2022, Paxton made a post on Twitter in which he referred to U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine – a trans woman — as a man, resulting in the tweet being flagged for violating its conduct rules.
May 2022: Ethics Lawsuit Filed Against Paxton
In May 2022, the Bar's Commission for Lawyer Discipline sued Ken Paxton in Collin County District Court for acting unethically in seeking to subvert the 2020 presidential election.
June 2022: Paxton says he would defend laws prohibiting sodomy if Lawrence v. Texas was overturned
In June 2022, Paxton stated that he would defend state laws prohibiting sodomy or consensual same-sex sexual relationships if the Supreme Court precedent invalidating such laws, the Lawrence v. Texas decision, was overturned.
July 11, 2022: Texas District Court scheduled trial on gender-affirming medical care
On July 11, 2022, a trial was scheduled by a Texas District Court regarding state investigations into families providing gender-affirming medical care for their children.
September 2022: Process Server Incident
In September 2022, a process server alleged that Paxton avoided being served a subpoena at his home, leading to a confrontation and claims of perceived threat.
November 2022: Officials indicate Paxton's office has no driver's license information
In November 2022, officials indicated that Paxton's office had no information about citizens who had changed their gender on their driver's licenses, despite that in August of that year, the data was provided to Paxton's office, after Paxton's office had requested a list of citizens who had changed their gender on their driver's licenses, circumventing the accepted procedure of contacting DPS' government relations and general counsel's offices by instead directly contacting the driver license division staff. No reason was given for this request.
2022: Charges against Hervis Rogers dismissed
In 2022, the charges against Hervis Rogers were dismissed after the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that Paxton had no authority to unilaterally charge Texans with election crimes.
February 2023: Tentative settlement reached with whistleblowers
In February 2023, Ken Paxton reached a tentative settlement with whistleblowers, agreeing to pay them $3.3 million. The settlement, which required state approval for funding, involved Paxton apologizing for referring to the plaintiffs as 'rogue employees' but did not include admission of fault or liability by either party.
February 2023: Paxton requests more taxpayer funds for his office
In late February 2023, Ken Paxton asked the Appropriations subcommittee of the Texas House of Representatives to provide more taxpayer funds to his office, including the full amount of the intended $3.3 million settlement of the lawsuit brought by whistleblowers from his office.
March 2023: Texas House committee begins investigation of Paxton
In March 2023, the Texas House General Investigating Committee began to investigate Ken Paxton.
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 2023: Investigation of Paxton triggered by settlement request
In May 2023, the Texas House General Investigating Committee stated that the investigation of Ken Paxton was triggered by "Paxton's own request for taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct." A spokeswoman for Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan concurred.
May 2023: Settlement Deadline Passes Without Payment
In May 2023, the deadline for payment in the whistleblower settlement passed without the payment being made, causing the settlement to 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 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 2023: Pro-Paxton group donates to Dan Patrick's campaign
In June 2023, the pro-Paxton "Defend Texas Liberty" gave a $1 million contribution and a $2 million loan to Dan Patrick's campaign
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.
September 2023: Acquitted by Texas Senate
In September 2023, the Texas Senate voted to acquit Paxton of all articles of impeachment, ending his suspension from office.
September 2023: Texas Supreme Court Rules Attorney General Subject to Whistleblower Act
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, allowing him 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 Paxton's trial to begin on April 15, 2024.
December 2023: Opposed Abortion for Woman with Fetus Having Trisomy 18
In December 2023, after a Texas judge ruled that Kate Cox, a pregnant woman whose fetus had trisomy 18, qualified for an abortion, Paxton opposed the ruling, threatened to prosecute doctors, and stated that Texas hospitals allowing the abortion could be liable.
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.
2023: Paxton sues federal government over spending law
In 2023, Ken Paxton sued the federal government in Texas v. Garland, asserting that the $1.7 trillion federal spending law passed by Congress for fiscal year 2023 is invalid due to the lack of a physical quorum in the U.S. House of Representatives. He argued that the House's decision in 2020 to allow proxy voting during the COVID-19 pandemic was unconstitutional.
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.
2024: Paxton's unit raids Latino voting activists' offices
In 2024, a unit created by Ken Paxton raided the offices of Latino voting activists, seizing cellphones, computers, and documents as part of a voter fraud inquiry. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) described the raids as an attempt to suppress Latino voters.
April 5, 2025: Whistleblowers awarded $6.6 million
On April 5, 2025, Travis County district court judge Catherine Mauzy awarded $6.6 million combined to four whistleblowers.
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