Governor Greg Abbott continues to support Attorney General Ken Paxton in the face of the biggest corruption scandal for a statewide officeholder in one hundred years. It is time the governor calls for his resignation.
Even harshly partisan Republican Congressman Chip Roy has called for Paxton to step down. The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board recognizes that Texas will not have a functional attorney’s general office until he leaves. Still, Paxton says he won’t resign and makes “no apologies” for his actions. Abbott once again has shown his weakness as governor by allowing this corruption to run rampant.
Paxton was indicted in 2015 by a Collin County grand jury on two counts of felony securities fraud and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators. That court case has been delayed for five years. Paxton’s own staffers recently came forward to expose him for bribery and abuse of office. He’s admitted to an illicit affair with a capitol staffer who was later hired by one of Paxton’s donors. In return, Paxton used his official office resources to assist the donor by tampering with a criminal investigation. Many of the whistleblower staff who stood up to shed light on the corruption have been fired for speaking out. The FBI is now actively investigating Paxton’s wrongdoings.
Instead of calling for an end to the disgraceful and illegal operations by the chief law enforcement officer in Texas, Greg Abbott has enabled and emboldened Paxton to engage in voter suppression, terrorize immigrant Texans, and become the driving force behind the litigation trying to eradicate the Affordable Care Act and end assured coverage for pre-existing health conditions. Abbott gave Paxton his full-throated endorsement for re-election in 2018—after Paxton had been indicted for three years (and was even busted on camera stealing high-priced pens from county courthouses).
The arch-conservative economist Ludwig von Mises said “there is no more dangerous menace to civilization than a government of incompetent, corrupt, or vile men.” It’s time Texas Republicans take a look in the mirror. The most corrupt Attorney General in Texas history is arrogantly refusing to follow the law while Abbott sits by silently and cowardly complicit.
Please take a moment, sign this petition calling on Governor Greg Abbott to demand the resignation of Ken Paxton, and share it with your friends and family.
Matt Angle, Lone Star Project Founder and Director
