On the eve of Election Day, a letter was signed by 51 attorneys general from across the country, condemning potential violence and advocating for a peaceful transition of power. However, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was notably absent from the list of signatories. Along with him, Indiana’s Todd Rokita and Montana’s Austin Knudsen, both Republicans, also did not sign the letter.
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), a nonpartisan organization that promotes collaboration among state attorneys general, issued the letter. Paxton has had a strained relationship with NAAG, as he did not sign their previous letter condemning the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Instead, he, along with attorneys general from Indiana, Louisiana, and Montana, issued their own statement denouncing all violent acts in the name of political ideology.
Paxton has been active on social media, urging conservatives to support former President Donald Trump and celebrating the prevention of federal election monitors in Texas polling places. His agency spokesperson did not respond to requests for comments on his absence from the recent letter.
Furthermore, Paxton and his wife attended the pro-Trump rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, where Paxton called for peaceful protests. Despite this, he refused to release his records from that day and led a lawsuit challenging election results in key swing states, leading to a lawsuit by the State Bar of Texas.
In May 2022, Paxton’s agency announced Texas was leaving NAAG, citing the organization’s alleged liberal bias. Paxton, along with Missouri and Montana, accused NAAG of having a partisan agenda. In response, eight conservative attorneys general, including those from Missouri and Montana, signed the recent letter condemning election violence released by NAAG.
The letter emphasizes the importance of a peaceful transfer of power, condemning any acts of violence related to the election results. It calls for Americans to engage in civil discourse, respect the democratic process, and come together after the election, united in their commitment to the rule of law and the safety of all citizens.
While NAAG did not immediately respond to questions about the attorneys general who did not sign the letter, it is clear that Paxton’s decision to not join in condemning election violence reflects his ongoing conflicts with the organization and his stance on political issues.
