For Immediate Release
Contact: Jared Woodfill, J.D.
(713) 419-0595
Dr. Hotze Files Lawsuit Against Texas State Senate for Violating the U.S. and Texas Constitutions in Impeachment Trial of Texas AG Paxton
Houston, Texas – On Friday, July 21, 2023, Steven F. Hotze, M.D. filed a lawsuit against the Texas State Senate, and Dan Patrick in his official capacity as Lt. Governor of Texas. The lawsuit requests a temporary restraining order, a temporary injunction and a permanent injunction that prevents the Senate from enforcing the rules that were adopted for the upcoming impeachment trial against conservative Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The lawsuit challenges Lt. Governor Patrick’s ‘Gag Order’ which prohibits the senators and state representatives from discussing the impeachment issues and proceedings with their constituents.
The lawsuit also challenges the decision of the Texas Senate to exclude Attorney General Paxton’s wife, Senator Angela Paxton, and her constituents from the impeachment trial. Article 15 of the Texas Constitution requires that she serve in the court of impeachment.
Dr. Hotze said, “This broad ‘Gag Order’ prevents the legislators from communicating with their constituents on the impeachment trial which is a matter of statewide importance. It silences the voices of Texans, violating their constitutional rights.”
Dr. Hotze further stated, “This is not a legal trial presided by a judge. This impeachment proceeding is being held by politicians which makes it inherently political. The Texas Senate has clearly acted outside its constitutional authority.”
“Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was overwhelmingly reelected to serve a third term as Attorney General on November 8, 2022. This infuriated his RINO and Democrat opponents. In the very final days of the 2023 Texas Legislative Session, on May 24-25, a sham proceeding was conducted by the House General Investigative Committee, formed by Speaker Dade Phelan. This committee, made up of Paxton’s opponents, concocted a series of bogus impeachment charges based upon hearsay and presented them to the Texas House. General Paxton and his attorneys were not allowed to present a defense before this committee or the Texas House. The vote for impeachment came two days before the end of the session. This impeachment was a hatchet job.”
Dr. Hotze concluded, “I would encourage Texans to go to StandWithPaxton.com and sign the online petition supporting conservative Attorney General Ken Paxton. I would also urge them to contact their state senators and ask them to acquit Attorney General Paxton from his impeachment charges, so he can get back to work protecting Texans.”
Both the lawsuit and the petition can be viewed at StandwithPaxton.com.