Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, recently experienced a “swatting” incident, joining a growing list of Republican lawmakers targeted in similar incidents. Swatting involves making false reports to authorities, leading to a SWAT team response at the target’s home. The incident occurred on New Year’s Day when an unidentified caller reported a life-threatening situation at the Paxton’s McKinney home.
Fortunately, the couple was not at home when first responders arrived, but they described the false report as a “life-threatening” situation. They commended the bravery and professionalism of the McKinney police and fire departments, while emphasizing the importance of prosecuting those who make false reports to 911.
The Paxtons also highlighted the fact that the swatting incident occurred weeks after their address was publicly posted by the Dallas Morning News, following their strong conservative efforts on border security, preventing election fraud, and protecting constitutional liberties. They condemned compromising law enforcement’s effectiveness and safety and called for greater detection and penalties to deter such crimes.
Swatting has become more prevalent in recent years, with individuals easily accessing personal addresses through social media. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley explained that swatting can be charged as a form of criminal threats, and Virginia recently passed a law making it a criminal misdemeanor. However, insufficient deterrents and rare prosecutions contribute to the continuation of this criminal harassment.
The incident involving the Paxtons follows similar incidents targeting Senator Rick Scott, Representative Marjorie Taylor-Greene, and Representative Brandon Williams over the Christmas holiday. Taylor-Greene has announced her intention to introduce legislation to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of these criminals who engage in false reports.
Ken Paxton has faced numerous accusations throughout the past year, primarily from Texas Democrats, including charges of bribery, disregard of official duties, and abuse of public trust. The Texas House of Representatives impeached him in May 2023, but he was acquitted by the state Senate in September of the same year. Despite support for impeachment, the required votes for conviction were not reached.
Paxton’s opponents have also accused him of misusing his political power to benefit real estate developer Nate Paul and accepting a bribe. Additionally, he was indicted in June on allegations of making false statements to banks. While suspended from office pending the trial’s outcome, Paxton’s wife was required to be present for the entire trial but prohibited from participating in debate or voting.
Ken Paxton, who has served as Texas Attorney General since 2014 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2022, expressed gratitude to his supporters after his acquittal and vowed to resume defending constitutional rights.
The incident involving the Paxtons highlights the need for stronger measures to combat swatting and protect lawmakers from criminal harassment. It also brings attention to the ongoing controversies surrounding Ken Paxton’s tenure as Texas Attorney General.
