Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was kicked off the Texas House floor Tuesday afternoon by the Sergeant-at-Arms at the direction of House Administration officials, in a move that has sparked outrage among conservative lawmakers and grassroots supporters.
The incident occurred on a critical legislative deadline day in the Texas House, when lawmakers are supposed to be addressing Senate bills.
Instead, the focus turned to the removal of Paxton, a conservative firebrand who recently announced a challenge to longtime U.S. Senator John Cornyn, further intensifying divisions within the state GOP.
It remains unclear what specifically prompted Paxton’s removal, but multiple Texas House members confirmed the incident and criticized House leadership for the decision.
“Ken Paxton was just kicked off the House floor by the Sergeant of Arms at the direction of Texas House Administration,” tweeted State Rep. Andy Hopper, calling the move “ridiculous.”
Other lawmakers echoed his sentiment. “It’s true. It was shameful! The Austin swamp (specifically House administration) cannot help themselves from being swampy!” said Rep. Nate Schatzline. Rep. Janis Holt added, “This was unbelievable. If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
.@KenPaxtonTX was just kicked off the House floor by the Sergeant of Arms