Major Controversies Surrounding Ken Paxton: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Ken Paxton.

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.

1983: Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox Indicted for Bribery

In 1983, Texas Attorney General Jim Mattox was indicted for bribery, marking the previous instance of a Texas Attorney General facing criminal charges until Ken Paxton's indictment on July 28, 2015.

2004: 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: Crime Statistics Used in 2018

In 2011, Ken Paxton used crime statistics in 2018 to claim that undocumented immigrants had committed over 600,000 crimes since 2011 in Texas

2012: Montblanc pen incident

In 2012, Surveillance video from the Collin County courthouse showed Ken Paxton taking a Montblanc pen worth $1,000, which had been accidentally left behind at a metal detector by fellow lawyer Joe Joplin, and returned later "when the error was realized".

June 2015: Paxton supports clerks refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples

In June 2015, after the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision, Ken Paxton offered support for clerks who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, stating he would defend their rights.

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: 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.

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: 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.

December 2016: Paxton Intervenes in School Scripture Dispute

In December 2016, Ken Paxton gained attention after intervening in a dispute in Killeen, Texas, in which a middle school principal told a nurse's aide to take down a six-foot poster in the school containing a quote from Christian scripture. Paxton sided with the aide, who won in court.

2016: Paxton Sues 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, and the court ruled that Austin must allow such carry and pay a fine to the state for preventing investigators from the attorney general's office from carrying their firearms.

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: 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.

2016: Paxton Investigates Texas Voting Records

In February 2017, as part of his "crusade" against voter fraud, Ken Paxton sought to investigate 2016 Texas voting records to uncover potential voter fraud.

February 2017: Paxton Investigates 2016 Texas Voting Records

In February 2017, as part of his "crusade" against voter fraud, Ken Paxton sought to investigate 2016 Texas voting records to uncover potential voter fraud. Also in February 2017, 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 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.

March 2017: Paxton Claims Voter Fraud Exists in Texas

In March 2017, Ken Paxton told The Washington Times that he was convinced that voter fraud exists in Texas, and claimed that local election officials in Texas were not actively detecting fraud.

May 2, 2017: ProPublica Article: 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 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: Paxton Objects to School's Prayer Room for Muslim Students

In 2017, Ken Paxton objected to a Texas school's use of an empty classroom to allow its Muslim students to pray, claiming that "the high school's prayer room is ... apparently excluding students of other faiths." School officials refuted this claim.

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.

2018: False Claims About Immigrant Crime

In 2018, Ken Paxton falsely claimed that undocumented immigrants had committed over 600,000 crimes since 2011 in Texas, a claim debunked by PolitiFact.

2018: Dan Patrick Donates to Paxton's Reelection Campaign

In 2018, Republican Dan Patrick donated $125,000, and lent another $125,000, to Ken Paxton's close reelection campaign.

2018: Voter fraud cases worked on double in 2021

In 2021, Ken Paxton's office spent almost double the time working on voter fraud cases in 2021 as it did in 2018. It recorded spending over 22,000 staff hours on the task, but resolved only 16 prosecutions, half as many as two years prior.

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.

March 2020: Hervis Rogers Votes in Democratic Primary

In March 2020, Hervis Rogers, a Black man working two jobs, voted in Houston's Texas Southern University in Harris County, Texas to vote in the Democratic presidential primary election. He was later arrested in July 2021 and charged.

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 state district judge's ruling that such voters could apply for absentee ballots and persuaded the Texas Supreme Court to address the issue.

September 2020: KXAN Analyzes Voter Fraud Convictions

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 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: Voter fraud cases looked at after the 2020 election

After the 2020 election, Ken Paxton's office spent more than 22,000 hours looking for voter fraud, finding only 16 cases of false addresses on registration forms out of nearly 17 million registered voters.

2020: Paxton Sues Harris County Clerk

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 2.4 million registered voters. The Texas Supreme Court reversed lower court decisions and directed the trial court to enter an injunction against Hollins.

2020: Paxton's Actions to Subvert 2020 Presidential Election

In 2020, Paxton sought to subvert the presidential election.

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.

2020: Paxton Sues Federal Government Over Spending Law

In 2023, Ken Paxton sued the federal government in Texas v. Garland, asserting that a $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 Claims Biden "Overthrew" Trump

In October 2021, Ken Paxton falsely claimed that Joe Biden "overthrew" Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

January 6, 2021: Spoke at Rally Preceding U.S. Capitol Attack

On January 6, 2021, Ken Paxton spoke at the rally held by Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., which immediately preceded the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

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.

July 9, 2021: The Guardian reports on Paxton's pursuit of election-related crimes

On July 9, 2021, The Guardian reported that few prosecutors have pursued election-related crimes more than Ken Paxton.

July 11, 2021: NYT reports on Paxton's focus on voter fraud

On July 11, 2021, The New York Times reported that while voter fraud is very rare in the United States, Ken Paxton 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 in the March 2020 Democratic presidential primary election while on parole, which is a second-degree felony in Texas. Rogers was unaware of his ineligibility to vote.

October 2021: Paxton 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 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: Voter fraud cases worked on double than in 2018

2021: Paxton's Voter Fraud Unit Budget

In 2021, Ken Paxton's voter fraud investigation unit had a budget of $1.9 million to $2.2 million. By the end of the year, the office had closed only three cases of fraud.

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.

2021: Refusal to provide work emails and text messages

In early 2021, Ken Paxton's office refused to provide his work emails and text messages he sent or received while in Washington on January 6, after several Texas news organizations requested them in accordance with the state's open records law.

January 2022: Deadline to release emails and text messages

In January 2022, the Travis County district attorney gave Ken Paxton four days to comply or face a lawsuit regarding his work emails and text messages from January 6.

February 18, 2022: Paxton characterizes gender-affirming health care for transgender youths as child abuse

On February 18, 2022, Ken Paxton issued a written opinion characterizing gender-affirming health care (such as hormone treatments and puberty blockers) for transgender youths as child abuse.

March 17, 2022: Paxton refers to Rachel Levine as a man on Twitter

On March 17, 2022, Ken 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. Twitter flagged the tweet for violating its conduct rules.

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.

June 2022: Paxton says he would defend state laws prohibiting sodomy or same-sex sexual relationships

In June 2022, Ken Paxton stated he would defend state laws prohibiting sodomy or same-sex sexual relationships if the Supreme Court precedent invalidating such laws, the Lawrence v. Texas decision, was overturned.

June 2022: Defended Laws Prohibiting Same-Sex Relationships

In June 2022, Ken Paxton stated that he would defend state laws prohibiting consensual same-sex relationships if the Supreme Court precedent invalidating such laws, the Lawrence v. Texas decision, was overturned.

July 11, 2022: Trial scheduled for investigations into families providing gender-affirming care

On July 11, 2022, a trial was scheduled regarding investigations into families who provide gender-affirming medical care for their children.

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".

November 2022: Paxton's office indicates it has no information about gender changes on driver's licenses

In November 2022, officials indicated that Ken Paxton's office had no information about gender changes on driver's licenses, despite the office requesting a list of citizens who had changed their gender on their driver's licenses that same year.

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: 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.

February 2023: Paxton Requests More Funds

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 Investigating Committee Investigates Paxton

In March 2023, the Texas House General Investigating Committee began to investigate Ken Paxton.

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 2023: Texas House Committee States Settlement Triggered Investigation

In May 2023, the Texas House General Investigating Committee stated that "Paxton's own request for taxpayer-funded settlement over his wrongful conduct" triggered the investigation for impeachment.

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: "Defend Texas Liberty" gave a $1 million contribution and a $2 million loan to Patrick's campaign

In June 2023, a few months before Paxton's impeachment trial, the pro-Paxton "Defend Texas Liberty" gave a $1 million contribution and a $2 million loan to Dan Patrick's campaign. Patrick is not up for reelection until 2026.

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: Texas Supreme Court Ruling

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

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: Paxton Sues Federal Government Over Spending Law

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).

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.

2024: Paxton 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. LULAC described the raids as an attempt to suppress Latino voters.