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Attorney General Ken Paxton spent much of his career.
But on the last day of the Biden administration, the Associated Press reported Thursday that the Justice Department had refused to make a federal criminal investigation into allegations of corruption by refusing to prosecute the most serious legal threat he has faced – a federal criminal investigation into allegations of corruption – and effectively ending the investigation.
With the investigation finished, Paxton almost cleared the crowded slate of career-threatening legal battles, as he prepares for Senator John Cornyn for the 2026 primary run.
“The end of this investigation is a huge boon for Ken Paxton, both politically and personally,” said Matthew Wilson, a professor of political science at Southern Methodist University. “Paxton could point that out and say, “Even under the Democratic administration, they didn’t feel worthy of moving forward there.” ”
Two sources familiar with the issue spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, the AP spoke about the Department of Justice decision. DOJ did not immediately answer any questions regarding reviewing the AP report.
This development extends a series of legitimate victories that exemplify Republicans once caught up in the process. It will help to highlight Paxton’s durability through all sorts of political, personal and legal troubles and hone his reputation among the right-wingers of his party as a fighter who, like President Donald Trump, has denied numerous efforts by his detractors to defeat him.
“It really sets a similarity with Trump that will play very well among the main Republican electors,” Wilson said. “Paxton is a political survivor. People have written his obituaries several times, and he has really forged this loyal foundation among Republican grassroots activists.”
Paxton’s attorney Dan Cogdell said he learned of the outcome from the Associated Press because the Justice Department never informed him of a decision not to be charged with him.
“The fact that they refused to prosecute is not a surprise,” Cogdell said. “I don’t think they had a case from the start.”
Given Paxton’s close alliance with the president, there was little concern that the incident would continue under the Trump administration’s Justice Department.
In January, the Texas Supreme Court threw the state law of Texas lawsuits against Paxton over its efforts to overturn the 2020 election result Biden won.
Last year, prosecutors agreed to conduct 100 hours of community service and take a 15-hour legal ethics course, then dropped the felony securities fraud charge against Paxton just three weeks before facing trial, paying $271,000 to anyone accused of fraud more than a decade ago. The contract concluded a felony case of nearly nine years old who defeated Paxton from the early days of his appointment.
And when the state legislature tried to fire him for the same corruption allegations that spurred federal investigations, the Texas Senate was acquitted on 16 counts of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction, which more than 70% of his own party supported in the House.
Paxton’s last outstanding legal battle is a whistleblowing lawsuit filed against him by four former senior aides who reported him to the FBI. The Texas Supreme Court said in November there was no need for Paxton to seek a deposit in the case. This is another victory for the Attorney General who managed to avoid testimony about civil lawsuits, the ammo each trial and allegations of corruption in federal investigations. Last year, Paxton said he no longer challenges the facts of the case to end what he called a “vain lawsuit” and distractions in his office.
The whistleblower is currently waiting for a Travis County District Judge to rule the settlement.
“The DOJ clearly influenced that decision on political coronavirus. The whistleblowers – all strong conservatives – will do the right thing and continue to confront Paxton’s allegations of criminal conduct.”
On Thursday, Paxton referred to the end of the federal investigation, calling for a critical of Paxton’s legal debate and swinging with a steady Cornyn in his bid for reelection.
“This Texas Supreme Court Judge and the Texas Attorney General have proven to both me and President Trump that corrupt Biden Dozi has proven to be guilty while cheering on a fake witch hunt,” Paxton posted on social media referring to Cornyn, saying, “Care for Comments, John?”
In response to Paxton’s attempts to tag Cornin with a tag, Cornin said that “it’s difficult to escape from prison.”
With major Texas Republican voters lurking towards the right and his popularity among GOP voters has fallen from the 2020 high, the chances of a match could prove to be Cornyn’s toughest major battle.
Among Republican-identifying voters, Cornin has a 49% approval rate compared to Paxton’s 62% approval rate, according to a vote by the University of Texas Political Project at Austin. Meanwhile, Ted Cruz, another Texas Senator, has a 78% approval rating among Republicans.
Still, Cornyn, who beat past challengers, is an incredible fundraiser and has had a far-reaching influence as a senator. He also works smoothly on his relationship with the fierce right wing in Texas, promoting his work in the Senate in support of Trump.
Utah Ex-Tarapist Scott Owen has been sentenced to prison for sexually abused patients
On Thursday, Cornyn refused to rule that he would not prosecute Paxton or the Department of Justice’s decision, saying, “I’m not going to comment on it until he becomes the announced candidate. And then I have a lot to say.”
Meanwhile, Kornin’s campaign responded to a request for comment and sent approval from the Border Border Patrol Council, announced Thursday.
Cruz declined to comment.
“Essentially, he’s a fighter and a risk taker,” said Matt Makowiak, a Republican strategist and former Travis County GOP chairman, explaining Paxton’s position as he heads for a potential campaign with the federal investigation behind him. “What I think this whole episode taught him is to trust your instincts and never quit. That psychology must be very strong for him as you approach this race.”
Viana Davila with Catherine Wilson of Texas Tribune and Propovica reported.
