1/ News outlets requested copies of Texas AG Ken Paxton's work-related communications while he was in D.C. for a pro-Trump rally that devolved into the Capitol riot.
His office refused.
w/ @dallasnews @propublica @statesman @HoustonChron @ExpressNews: bit.ly/3claLt0
His office refused.
w/ @dallasnews @propublica @statesman @HoustonChron @ExpressNews: bit.ly/3claLt0
2/ The Republican attorney general led a failed attempt to overturn the presidential election, joining with other GOP attorneys general in a lawsuit seeking to invalidate swing state victories by Democrat Joe Biden. bit.ly/3rnPbs6
3/ On Jan. 6, Paxton spoke at the pro-Trump rally in Washington.
“What we have in President Trump is a fighter," he told the crowd. "And I think that’s why we’re all here. We will not quit fighting. We’re Texans, we’re Americans, and the fight will go on.”
“What we have in President Trump is a fighter," he told the crowd. "And I think that’s why we’re all here. We will not quit fighting. We’re Texans, we’re Americans, and the fight will go on.”
4/ After Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and violently rioted later that day, Paxton falsely claimed that those people were not Trump supporters. bit.ly/2NRZN4V
5/ If Paxton’s communications about the rally were released, they could illuminate his real-time reaction to the ensuing riot, who booked him as a speaker for the rally and who covered his travel expenses. He has not answered questions about who paid for his trip.
6/ The Texas Public Information Act guarantees the public's right to government records — even if those records are stored on personal devices or online accounts of public officials.
7/ Paxton's office, which is supposed to enforce the state's open records laws, has no policy governing the release of work-related messages stored on Paxton's personal devices.
8/ It is unclear whether the office reviews Paxton’s email accounts and phones to look for requested records, or whether the attorney general himself determines what to turn over without any outside checks.
9/ Paxton is currently facing some of the most intense public scrutiny of his career.
He is reportedly under federal investigation for allegedly abusing his office to help a campaign donor. He has denied wrongdoing. bit.ly/39wz7hZ
He is reportedly under federal investigation for allegedly abusing his office to help a campaign donor. He has denied wrongdoing. bit.ly/39wz7hZ
10/10 We’re working with other news organizations to obtain copies of the emails and text messages Paxton sent or received while in Washington for the rally.
Read more about why here: bit.ly/3claLt0
Read more about why here: bit.ly/3claLt0
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
