Dr. Steven Hotze and lawyer Jared Woodfill discussed the federal lawsuits filed to block the gag order linked to the impeachment of Texas Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton. The gag order violates the First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment rights of the Lone Star State's top attorney.
Hotze disclosed during the Aug. 14 episode of "The Dr. Hotze Report" on Brighteon.TV that he and other plaintiffs have filed lawsuits in two federal district courts in Texas. The lawsuits asked the Texas Senate and Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, in his capacity as the president of the state senate, not to violate their First Amendment rights.
"They both have adopted rules and gag orders that violate our First Amendment rights. And in order to be able to stop that we had to go to court," said Hotze. He added that legal maneuvers must be done to regain those rights and one of them is to make a motion for a preliminary injunction.
For his part, Woodfill expressed belief that the lawsuits are important pieces of litigation. This is because they have huge implications for people's First Amendment rights not just in the present, but in the future as well.
The Houston-based lawyer recounted two earlier impeachment cases in the Lone Star State. Back in 1917, Gov. James Ferguson was impeached and removed from office. This was followed by the 1976 impeachment of District Judge O.P. Carrillo.
Texas Senate's Rule 10A blocks Texans from talking to the legislators they elected
Woodfill cited Rule 10A of the Texas Senate, which bars Texans from speaking to their state senators about the AG's impeachment. This rule, a de facto gag order, wasn't used during the impeachments of Ferguson and Carrillo. (Related: Attorney Jared Woodfill blasts Texas House for impeaching AG Ken Paxton WITHOUT DUE PROCESS – Brighteon.TV.)
The rule not only applies to state senators themselves, but also to their staffers. It also encompasses state representatives. Woodfill remarked: "You're looking at fines and potential jail time – so we believe that is a clear violation of First Amendment rights not just of yourself, but of all Texans."
He also noted Rule 31 or the "one person, one vote" rule that excludes State Sen. Angela Paxton, the AG's wife. The state senator was removed from the proceeding using a provision of the Texas Constitution that had absolutely nothing to do with impeachment. This, according to Woodfill, violates the Fourteenth Amendment.
The Houston-based lawyer also told Hotze that there are state senators who financed the AG's opponents in the Republican primary elections. Even though Paxton was nominated by the GOP for the AG position, Democrats also opposed him in the general elections.
Hotze pointed out that Article 15 of the Texas Constitution clearly covers the impeachment process. If an impeachment is brought against the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general or other state official, it shall be heard by the Texas State Senate. The Brighteon.TV host stressed that this includes all state senators elected by their constituents – including Angela Paxton.
Follow Coup.news for more news about the impeachment case of Texas AG Ken Paxton.
Watch the August 14 episode of "The Dr. Hotze Report" below. "The Dr. Hotze Report" airs every Monday and Saturday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.
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Dr. Steve Hotze and Bill Zedler discuss Texas AG Ken Paxton’s impeachment case – Brighteon.TV.
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