Interview: Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi on Paxton Impeachment

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Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi, a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, joined The Texan’s senior reporter Hayden Sparks to discuss his vocal criticism of the chamber’s decision in May to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton. 

“I’ve been representing the Republican Party of Texas in what is effectively a declaration of civil war by Republicans in the House, namely House leadership,” said Rinaldi, comparing the leadership of Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) to that of former Speaker Joe Straus. 

“The members didn’t even know [the impeachment vote] was going on until 48 hours before. They were surprised by it. And then, instead of leaving the members to vote, they whipped votes like it was a policy matter. So the way it was handled was extremely top-down.” 

In addition to discussing his criticisms of the impeachment process, Rinaldi also weighed in on how he believes the Senate should handle the trial, how the votes on impeachment could play a role in the next Republican primary election cycle, and how the division between Republicans on impeachment fits into the broader political battles with Democrats. 

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