AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Don't expect Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to testify in his impeachment trial in the Texas Senate later this year.
Paxton's lead attorney, Tony Buzbee, made that announcement late Monday night in a statement.
"The House has ignored precedent, denied him an opportunity to prepare his defense, and now wants to ambush him on the floor of the Senate," said Buzbee. "They had the opportunity to have Attorney General Paxton testify during their sham investigation but refused to do so. We will not bow to their evil, illegal, and unprecedented weaponization of state power in the Senate chamber."
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Buzbee's statement calls the impeachment effort a "naked attack" on Paxton by the House, "using a senior lawyer in the Obama Administration, Biden Justice Department lawyers and their allies in the Texas House. This is about silencing conservatives, eliminating an effective political opponent, and overturning an election."
Paxton's impeachment trial is set to begin on Sept. 5, after members of the House voted 121-23 in May on 20 articles of impeachment - most of which deal with allegations that Paxton misused his office in an effort to help Nate Paul, a wealthy Austin real estate investor and Paxton campaign donor.
Paul, in a separate proceeding, was indicted last month on charges of making false statements to financial institutions; he entered a not guilty plea in that case on June 23. That trial is set to begin on August 14.
Under state law, Paxton remains suspended from office pending the outcome of the Senate trial. Last month, senators voted to set aside four of the 20 articles of impeachment, leaving them to be dealt with - or potentially set aside - at a later time.
Under the rules approved by the Senate, the presiding officer - currently Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick - has the power to "compel the attendance of witnesses," as well as issue subpoenas on behalf of the parties.