Contempt Is Not How You Win Friends And (Favorably) Influence People

Paxton trial updates: Suspended AG absent as second day of impeachment proceedings begin 

The headline says it: Paxton can’t be bothered to attend his own impeachment trial.

His lawyers just yesterday argued this trial should be held to the high standards of a criminal trial, complete with the highest standard of proof known to American jurisprudence: beyond a reasonable doubt.

But, of course, in a criminal trial, the jury doesn’t vote on whether or not to hear the case, and decide motions in limine. 

And in a criminal trial, the defendant has to attend the trial.

Ken Paxton is free to stay out of the Senate chamber for the duration of the trial. But he’s only reminding Senators he lives in Austin, and they don’t. That he’s there year round, and they are away from jobs and families and homes, because of him. Their legislative schedule doesn’t include being in Austin in September. They are there because of him; and he just showed them his backside. It’s the last they’ll see of him until…when? When he decides he has to testify? His witnesses come to ding his praises? He has to stand as the results of the final votes are counted and read out to the world?

He threatened these people; and they didn’t quaver. Now he dismisses them like so many petitioners for royal favors from his hand. His defense is: this is how the Texas AG operates, and who are you to challenge him? Do hiring an unqualified lawyer to investigate charges his staff dismissed as false is how the AG operates? Doing favors for an individual who does favors for you is how the AG operates. Firing employees and shaking down Texas taxpayers for the settlement is the normal operation of the AG’s office? Being investigated by the FBI is within the normal course of the operation of the AG?

I can’t wait to see that defense.

Whether Ken Paxton will be there to see it is another question. If he doesn’t return to the chamber, or if he does return, will speak volumes to the senators. It certainly won’t change any minds in his favor. I almost feel sorry for Paxton’s few, die-hard supporters in the Senate, trying to defend Paxton’s absence during deliberations.

Almost, I said.