At the recent NRA convention, former President Donald Trump made waves not just with his usual rhetoric but also by dropping a significant hint about his potential pick for U.S. Attorney General if he were to win another term. The man in question? Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Trump, never one to shy away from bold statements, praised Paxton as a “very talented guy” during his speech. He even confirmed to KDFW-TV that he would consider Paxton for the national post, stating, “I would, actually. He’s been a very good Attorney General. I fought for him when he had the difficulty and we won. He had some people really after him and I thought it was very unfair. He’s been a very good Attorney General”. For those who might not know, Paxton has been serving as Texas Attorney General since 2015 and has a storied career in both law and politics.
Let’s not mince words here—Paxton is a polarizing figure. On one hand, he’s a hero to many conservatives, having filed numerous lawsuits against the federal government on issues ranging from environmental regulations to immigration. He has been a staunch opponent of the Affordable Care Act and has taken a hard stance on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and various Obama-era initiatives.
On the other hand, Paxton’s career has been marred by controversy. In 2015, he was indicted on felony securities fraud charges, although the case has dragged on without resolution. More recently, several of his top aides accused him of bribery and abuse of office in 2020, leading to an FBI investigation. These allegations culminated in his impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives in May 2023. However, Paxton was acquitted by the Texas Senate later that year.
Despite these legal battles, Paxton has maintained a close relationship with Trump. During Trump’s presidency, Paxton led multiple legal actions supportive of Trump’s administration, challenging federal directives and policies from previous administrations. Notably, Paxton filed a lawsuit attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in four battleground states—a move that aligned with Trump’s claims of election fraud. The lawsuit was quickly dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court for lack of standing, but it solidified Paxton’s status as a loyal Trump ally.
Trump reciprocated this support by endorsing Paxton in his political campaigns, including his 2022 reelection bid for Texas Attorney General. This endorsement was seen as a significant boost, especially considering Paxton’s legal controversies and the strong Republican base loyal to Trump in Texas.
With Trump eyeing a return to the White House, his discussion at the NRA convention not only reflects his political strategies but also hints at a future where Ken Paxton could play a pivotal role on the national stage. It’s clear that Trump values loyalty and effectiveness, and in his eyes, Paxton fits the bill perfectly.