Legislator wants to know if Paxton fueled rioting

AUSTIN — House Democratic Caucus Chairman Chris Turner is calling on the Legislature to “consider all options at our disposal” to hold Attorney General Ken Paxton responsible for any role he may have played in inciting violence at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.

Paxton had given a speech at a “March to Save America” rally prior to the riot, pledging that “we will not quit fighting” in reference to President Donald Trump's bid to overturn the 2020 election results.

Paxton last month led a suit, later joined by 17 other stateswithrepublicanattorneys general, asking the Supreme Court to reverse election results in four battleground states based on unproven voter fraud claims.

“From filing a fraudulent lawsuit that fueledunhinged conspiracy theories about a free and fair election, to egging on the crowd of insurrectionists in Washington, D.C., Paxton has played a major role in creating the national crisis that culminated with the first breach of our nation's Capitol since thewarof1812,” Turner said.

“Paxton's actions would be shameful for any elected official, but are especially so for the top law enforcement officer of the state. Even today, Paxton has used social media to spread lies about yesterday's acts of violence and insurrection,” he added.

The attorney general's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Paxton has blamed leftwing Antifa insurgents for the violence at the Capitol, circulating debunked claims that they masqueraded as Trump supporters.

The top law enforcement official in Texas, he tweeted Thursdaythat “Peaceful protests are constitutional. Violent protests are not. Patriots care about election integrity and the law.”

Turner said recourse options include passing legislation that limits the jurisdiction of his office or funding to it, as well as censure and impeachment.

“Everything needs to be on the table,” he said.