Thread by @taygoldenstein

Good morning, Texas! It’s Impeachment Trial Day No. 1!

If you need a good overview of what AG Ken Paxton is accused of, check out this timeline @MorrisReports and I made:

https://twitter.com/jaspscherer/status/1699017881114071361

It’s a packed house here at the Capitol! The line for public entry is looping around the upper rotunda. #tximpeachment #txlege

Small piece of Texas history right here 🤓 >>

I'm officially in the Senate gallery! State Sen. Angela Paxton, AG Ken Paxton's wife, dressed in a red suit, just walked in + waved to a Dallas-area contingent also decked out in red.

Someone else in a different section called "Angela!" and she turned and waved to them as well.

#txlege

https://twitter.com/ryanchandlertv/status/1699049150745124879

If you're from out of state or just need a refresher, here's a quick read on what to know before today's impeachment trial: #txlegehoustonchronicle.com/politics/texas…

The @HoustonChron / Hearst Newspapers will be updating this live blog all day. Follow along for updates, including a post on what some senators said as they reported for duty today:
#txlegehoustonchronicle.com/politics/texas…

@HoustonChron This AM I spoke to some Paxton supporters who weren't convinced by the evidence. You can't impeach over an affair, they said.

For others, it was a dealbreaker. More on how the alleged infidelity has become a flashpoint for his Christian conservative base: houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…

@HoustonChron State Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, finishes out the prayer to start today's proceeding by saying:

"And we just pray that when all of this is over, that all of us will walk away, knowing in your eyes that we did the right thing. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen."

@HoustonChron Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says he thought it appropriate to use the "Sam Houston bible" for swearing in today bc "this is a very significant and serious occasion that will be in the history books."

Patrick swearing in each senator, rather than all at once.
houstonchronicle.com/news/article/B…

@HoustonChron Here's the oath: "I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will impartially try Warren Kenenth Paxton, Jr, attorney general of Texas, upon the impeachment charges submitted to me by the House of Reps, and a true verdict rendered according to the law and the evidence, so help me God."

@HoustonChron Well, the name "Ken Paxton" is trending on X today. Is 12.4K a lot? Social media gurus, weigh in. #txlege

@HoustonChron Patrick explains that the first order of business is to address 24 pretrial motions.

He reminds public that Senate passed rules that do not allow questions, discussion or debate from the floor. Takes a majority of eligible members (16) to pass.

@HoustonChron First motion up is one that would dismiss all the charges against Paxton at once, arguing the House has "no evidence" to support the articles of impeachment.

It fails to pass 6-24. The yays were: Creighton, Bettencourt, Kolkhorst, Paul, Campbell, Hall.
senate.texas.gov/_assets/coi/do…

@HoustonChron Next up is a motion to exclude evidence of any alleged conduct that occured prior to Jan. 2023.

Paxton's lawyers have argued a "prior term doctrine," i.e. no impeachment for things that occur prior to an official's election.

This also fails, 8-22.
senate.texas.gov/_assets/coi/do…

@HoustonChron Didn't catch all of the votes on that last one, but it seemed like the same six who voted for dismissal, plus Perry and one more. Maybe Hughes? Will RT if I see another reporter with the head count.

@HoustonChron Next up are motions to dismiss impeachment articles 1-7 and 9-20.

This is also denied 8-22.

@HoustonChron The next motion is to quash the articles of impeachment and order a new charging document. Paxton's lawyers argued the articles were overly vague and needed to be spelled out more specifically.

This one is also denied, 6-24.

@HoustonChron This next one extremely similar to the last, requesting a new charging document (which the last motion also discussed), again based on argument that articles too vague.

Motion fails 6-24. senate.texas.gov/_assets/coi/do…

@HoustonChron We're going through a motion to dismiss each article individually. Each has been denied so far. On Article 4 now.

@HoustonChron BREAKING: Lt. Gov. Patrick says Paxton cannot be compelled to testify.

@HoustonChron Paxton's lawyer Tony Buzbee entering Paxton's not guilty pleas as each article is read by the clerk, adding that each is "untrue." No surprises here.

@HoustonChron That's it for now! They are taking a lunch break. Senate is back in at 1 p.m. for opening arguments.

@HoustonChron We are back, and as Lauren astutely notes, Paxton is longer present -->

https://twitter.com/lmcgaughy/status/1699121271026446419?s=20

@HoustonChron Here we go: State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, chair of the board of impeachment managers, starts opening statements.

"Mr. Paxton had an obligation not to abuse his office for his own benefit. He betrayed his constituents and the sacred public trust that's been given to him."

@HoustonChron Murr says senators have taken the first step toward the truth by allowing the trial to go forward.

He says the witnesses "will provide the clarity the senate needs, and the public deserves, to find out what was really happening behind closed doors."

@HoustonChron Paxton's attorney Tony Buzbee is up with opening statements now.

"When we are done, I believe no matter your party affiliation and no matter where you stand now, you will conclude what I have concluded: that there is nothing to this."

@HoustonChron Buzbee says Paxton and Paul gave each other "nothing of significance ... This whole case is a whole lot of nothing."

He repeatedly rips the media, saying Paxton "has been convicted in the press based on inference, innuendo and outright lies." Says gag order hurt his side more.

@HoustonChron Buzbee also addresses the political forces at work here that go beyond either side's arguments.

"I do wonder: Are we going to get a fair trial here or have you already decided based on what's politically expedient?"

@HoustonChron Buzbee is raising questions about the politics surrounding the situation. He brings up allegations that House Speaker Dade Phelan was drunk on the dais, which Paxton raised just before the investigation of him went public.

He raises qs about the process, framing it as rushed.

@HoustonChron Buzbee teasing he has evidence to show that renovations to Paxton's home -- an alleged bribe from Paul -- were all related to flood damage.

Says he has proof Cupertino Builders, whom Paxton paid for renos, is real. (Firm wasn't registered at time). BG: houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…

@HoustonChron Buzbee: "If campaign donations were bribes, everyone in this town would be impeached."

@HoustonChron Buzbee, Paxton's lawyer, taking a lot more of his time for opening statements, unlike Murr for the House. Each side has one hour max. Been about 30 min.

Murr took maybe 10-15 min.

Any unused time now can be used for presentation of evidence later, per the rules.

@HoustonChron Looks like they may use all of their hour. Dan Cogdell, another lawyer for Paxton, up now to do more opening.

Cogdell says this could be the "end of democracy" in this state. Says we're here "because people assumed things that weren't true."

@HoustonChron Cogdell has 21 minutes left.

-Says Paxton did not order release of records for Nate Paul
-Says Paul did not get a single record bc of Paxton. Other records were released unrelated to Paxton.
-Says no evidence Paxton copied records houstonchronicle.com/projects/polit…

@HoustonChron Cogdell focuses on a key gap in House's argument as of yet: They have testimony showing a Paxton aide gave Paul a file, but only circumstantial evidence that an unredacted FBI document he was seeking was in there.

@HoustonChron Cogdell says Brandon Cammack, the young attorney hired to investigate Paul's claims against the FBI, was "skewered" in the press.

But he says Cammack was not told there was nothing to the claims. He was just following Paxton's direction to find the truth. houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas…

@HoustonChron Cogdell starts to talk about Paxton's longstanding securities fraud case, but House prosecutor Rusty Hardin raises objection, noting four impeachment articles pertaining to that case are not under consideration.

Patrick sustains the objection/sides with Hardin.

@HoustonChron Cogdell/Paxton defense ends opening statements like this:

"Literally, do the right thing, and the right thing is to vote not guilty."

@HoustonChron Patrick just now granted a motion to quash subpoena by witness Johnny Sutton, a private attorney, who says testifying might prejudice his cases. Patrick asks in lieu of testimony that he do a "diligent search for non-privileged materials." Sutton agrees.

@HoustonChron First witness is whistleblower Jeff Mateer, former First Assistant AG, i.e. Paxton's former righthand man, who resigned after reporting Paxton to federal authorities for alleged corruption.

Hardin is starting out by asking Mateer about his personal and professional background.

@HoustonChron He's a former Federalist Society member, describes himself as evangelical Christian, has argued religious freedom cases. He does not believe himself to be a RINO "Republican In Name Only" as pro-Paxton folks call him.

Rates himself 10 or 11 on scale of conservatism out of 10.

@HoustonChron After some argument over exhibits, Patrick says the Senate will adjourn for the day, while the lawyers settle that issue tonight. See y'all tomorrow!