6 Texas AG employees take leave of absence to defend Ken Paxton at impeachment trial
The defense team includes the agency’s chief appellate lawyer and head of its general litigation division. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/05b23bfa82882cee5d63539bafb98a98/0526%20Lege%20Coverage%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2013.jpg)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/0112James_Barragan_2x3.jpeg)
James Barragán is a politics reporter for The Texas Tribune with a focus on accountability reporting. Prior to joining the Tribune, James worked as a statehouse reporter for The Dallas Morning News and had previous stints at the Austin American-Statesman and the Los Angeles Times. In 2021, James was a finalist for the Toner Prize for Excellence in Local Reporting for his coverage of Texas politics during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Southern California native, James received his bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA. He is based in Austin and is a native Spanish speaker.
Latest Contributions
-
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton makes a statement to the press May 26, 2023 a day before a scheduled impeachment vote in the Texas House in a long-running ethics complaint.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Ken Paxton impeachment fight exposes deep fissures among Texas Republicans
As the 88th Legislative Session came to a close, longstanding divisions between traditional conservatives and party’s far right came into focus. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c80cb9121f60e1472f035478a80f6967/0527%20Paxton%20Impeach%20Lege%20BD%20TT%2026.jpg)
![From left: State Reps. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands, Eddie Morales, Jr., D-Eagle Pass, and Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, wait as Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, speaks at the back mike as the impeachment proceedings against Ken Paxton are debated on May 27, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas AG Ken Paxton impeached, suspended from duties; will face Senate trial
The House voted 121-23 to suspend the attorney general and refer him to the Senate for trial on charges of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction. It was the first such impeachment since 1975. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/39517cfa88b8fe5d9e7961898e08acfe/0527%20Paxton%20Impeach%20Lege%20BD%2028.jpg)
![The Texas House voted to impeach state Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 27, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Effort to fix payroll error for state National Guard troops falls short in Texas Senate
The mistake meant about 7,400 soldiers sent to the Texas-Mexico border under Operation Lone Star were hit with higher-than-expected federal income taxes. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/766121f30f1f348f4757d0c986f0684b/George%20P.%20Bush%20Del%20Rio%20KGB%20TT%2028.jpg)
![Members of the Texas National Guard work 12 to 13 hour shifts guarding the “Texas border wall,” construction crews and materials near Del Rio on Dec. 8, 2021. Thousands of National Guard troops were deployed to Del Rio after an increase in migration at the southern border.]()
Credit: Kaylee Greenlee Beal for The Texas Tribune -
Here are the 20 articles of impeachment filed against Ken Paxton
The Texas House will vote on accusations that include bribery, dereliction of duty, disregard of official duty and obstruction of justice. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c92f715cc5ef4301691fb262bb65e5dd/Paxton%20Watch%20Party%20ST%20TT%2014.jpg)
![State Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at his primary election results watch party in McKinney on March 1, 2022.]()
Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune -
Texas House committee issues 20 articles of impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton
The attorney general, reelected last year by voters who shrugged off his scandals, is accused of a yearslong pattern of alleged misconduct and lawbreaking. The full House is expected to consider the articles soon. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/676a390fd5003c61a847479ae8cabf45/Paxton%20Watch%20Party%20BT%20TT%2014.jpg)
![Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks to supporters Paxton Watch Party Barn in Plano after being re-elected on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.]()
Credit: Ben Torres for The Texas Tribune -
Investigators detail years of alleged misconduct by Texas AG Ken Paxton in stunning House committee hearing
Many allegations against Paxton were already known, but the airing of them revealed the scope of the investigation by the committee, which has the power to recommend censure or impeachment. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6dfc9e5f6554688d0eb593bdfd850370/REDO%20GI%20Commitee%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
![From left: House Committee on General Investigating Chairman Andrew S. Murr and Vice Chair Ann Johnson listen to testimony on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at the Capitol in Austin on May 24, 2023.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Texas Senate moves to create new immigration enforcement unit, allow state police to arrest for border crossings
The House has already passed the bill, but the two chambers will need to iron out the differences in their versions before it is sent to Gov. Greg Abbott. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0f8778ad0cff771f8d01eae70eb7072e/0508%20Title%2042%20Migrants%20IPA%2006.JPG)
![Migrants carry supplies before crossing the Rio Grande River and into the U.S. from Mexico on Monday, May 8, 2023, in Juárez, Chihuahua. Several hundred migrants have been waiting on the U.S. side of the river to be picked up and processed by CBP.]()
Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The Texas Tribune -
Senate priorities on bail, Ten Commandments in schools stall out in Texas House as key deadline passes
The two chambers have been at odds over property tax relief and school choice, but on Tuesday night, those divisions spilled over into priorities the bodies had previously agreed upon. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/29b1fbf094cd7ac79f00b38cfd99be0f/0411%20House%20Vote%20EL%20TT%2008.JPG)
![Members of the House vote on the House floor during session at the state Capitol on April 11, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune -
Republican blitz on LGBTQ issues exposes fractures among Texas Democrats
The defections have sparked feelings of betrayal and promises of retribution, particularly as Republicans in the Legislature have presented a unified front. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/44ad4895b7015819f7800e2c24835dda/0512%20SB%2014%20House%20Friday%20EL%20TT%2010.jpg)
![People cheer and wave rainbow flags while gathered on the stairs across from the House floor to protest against SB 14, which seeks to ban puberty blockers and hormone therapies for transgender youth, before it is heard for debate in the House at the state Capitol in Austin on May 12, 2023.]()
Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune