Texas Gov. Abbott appoints interim AG amid Paxton impeachment

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced his appointment of a temporary state attorney general to replace Ken Paxton, who has been temporarily removed pending the resolution of his Senate trial.

Former Texas Secretary of State John Scott will serve in the post until the upper chamber proceedings conclude, Abbott announced in a press release.

"His decades of experience and expertise in litigation will help guide him while serving as the state’s top law enforcement officer," Abbott said. "I appoint John Scott for this role based on the Texas Constitution to serve for a temporary period during the Texas Senate’s resolution of the impeachment proceedings."

"John Scott has the background and experience needed to step in as a short-term interim Attorney General during the time the Attorney General has been suspended from duty," the governor continued. "He served under me in the Texas Attorney General’s Office and knows how the Office of the Attorney General operates. Scott was the Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation and has handled cases at all levels of the justice system."

The state House impeached Paxton last week, asserting that he engaged in bribery and other unlawful conduct. Paxton and his staff have denied the allegations. Two-thirds of the Texas Senate must vote for his ouster. Otherwise, Paxton may return to office at the end of the trial.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.