Former top aide Jeff Mateer testified in the historic impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, providing insight into why Paxton was using his power in ways that are now at the center of the trial. Mateer believes an extramarital affair Paxton had with a donor’s employee was “relevant” to the accusations, and that it helped connect the dots about why Paxton was using his power in the ways he was. If convicted, Paxton will be removed as attorney general and could be barred from running for office again. The Texas Senate is expected to make a decision on the articles of impeachment in the coming days.
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A federal judge in Austin, Texas has ordered the state to remove a large floating barrier from the middle of the Rio Grande River, following protests from the U.S. and Mexican governments. The U.S. government argued that the buoys violated the federal government's exclusive authority to regulate navigable waters, and Judge Ezra found that the buoys interfered with the federal government's ability to manage the river and caused environmental damage. The ruling is the latest development in the Biden administration's efforts to address the ongoing migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
On Monday morning, a vehicle crashed into a Denny's restaurant in Rosenberg, Texas, injuring 23 people. Video of the aftermath shows a red vehicle fully inside the restaurant, with the wall and windows around it demolished. The driver of the SUV was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, while the 23 injured patrons were taken to local hospitals for treatment with injuries ranging from minor cuts to severe injuries that do not appear to be life-threatening.
On Tuesday, the Texas Senate will gavel in for the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton, a rare instance of a political party seeking to hold one of its own to account for allegations of wrongdoing. Hundreds of people are expected to witness the proceedings, which will include testimony from witnesses and evidence presented by both sides. If two-thirds of the senators find Paxton guilty, he will be removed from office.
President Joe Biden visited Live Oak, Florida on Saturday to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia and meet with local officials, first responders, and survivors. He expressed his gratitude to the first responders and storm survivors, and vowed to approve any requests from the state for federal recovery assistance. Biden also had an aerial tour of the damage on his way to Live Oak and praised the courage of those who ran towards danger instead of away from it, as part of his ongoing tour of states affected by natural disasters.
The Republican Party of Nevada has announced that they will be holding a caucus on February 8th to determine the state's presidential primary winner, causing a clash between the 2024 presidential campaigns and party leaders. In response, a super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential run has suspended its door knocking outreach in Nevada and three other Super Tuesday states. This adjustment is a reminder of the outsized role the PAC has played in DeSantis' campaign, and it is unclear how this decision will affect the outcome of the election.
Texas Supreme Court has allowed a new state law banning gender-affirming care for minors to take effect on Friday, making Texas the most populous state with such restrictions. The law will prevent transgender minors from accessing hormone therapies, puberty blockers and transition surgeries. LGBTQ rights advocates have criticized the ruling and vowed to continue to fight the law in court.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has disclosed trips paid for by his friend, billionaire Harlan Crow, in his annual financial disclosure report. This has renewed focus on judicial ethics, as it is the first disclosure form filed by the justice since he came under scrutiny for his relationship with the Texas developer. The remaining seven justices have filed their 2022 reports, but it is unclear if any of them have had similar trips paid for by outside sources.