Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was kicked off the Texas House floor Tuesday afternoon by the Sergeant-at-Arms at the direction of House Administration officials, in a move that has sparked outrage among conservative lawmakers and grassroots supporters.
The incident occurred on a critical legislative deadline day in the Texas House, when lawmakers are supposed to be addressing Senate bills.
Instead, the focus turned to the removal of Paxton, a conservative firebrand who recently announced a challenge to longtime U.S. Senator John Cornyn, further intensifying divisions within the state GOP.
It remains unclear what specifically prompted Paxton’s removal, but multiple Texas House members confirmed the incident and criticized House leadership for the decision.
“Ken Paxton was just kicked off the House floor by the Sergeant of Arms at the direction of Texas House Administration,” tweeted State Rep. Andy Hopper, calling the move “ridiculous.”
Other lawmakers echoed his sentiment. “It’s true. It was shameful! The Austin swamp (specifically House administration) cannot help themselves from being swampy!” said Rep. Nate Schatzline. Rep. Janis Holt added, “This was unbelievable. If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
.@KenPaxtonTX was just kicked off the House floor by the Sergeant of Arms at the direction of Texas House Administration.
— Andy Hopper (@AndyHopperTX) May 27, 2025
Ridiculous.
The confrontation highlights the ongoing friction between Paxton and more moderate Republicans in the state, many of whom supported his impeachment trial in 2023—an effort that ultimately failed.
Since then, Paxton has remained a vocal critic of the so-called “Austin uniparty,” a term used by some conservatives to describe the alliance between establishment Republicans and Democrats in Texas politics.
The timing of the removal only fueled further frustration, as conservatives pointed to the legislature’s failure to prioritize Republican-backed legislation.
Rep. Brian Harrison took to the House floor and social media to blast leadership for pushing Democrat-sponsored bills while conservative priorities like property tax elimination are being ignored.
“The Texas House has now spent more time debating Biden-style student loan repayment legislation than eliminating property taxes,” Harrison said.
There are 81 Democrat bills on today’s calendar.
— Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) May 27, 2025
EIGHTY-ONE.
There aren’t even 81 Democrats in the House! https://t.co/gEFX4SGwkc
He also pointed out that there were 81 Democrat-sponsored bills on the day’s calendar, despite the fact that there aren’t even 81 Democrats in the House.
REP. BRIAN HARRISON: Texas is a bright red state. But unfortunately, the Texas government, controlled by the uniparty, has gone woke.
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) May 27, 2025
There are *81* Democrat bills that have been put on the floor. We don't even have 81 Democrats in the House.@brianeharrison pic.twitter.com/2hI0OKJ9Up
“Texas is a bright red state,” Harrison said in a segment on Bannon’s War Room. “But unfortunately, the Texas government, controlled by the uniparty, has gone woke.”
Ken Paxton’s presence at the Capitol, particularly after launching a Senate bid against a sitting Republican senator, appears to have struck a nerve with establishment figures in the Texas House.
While no official explanation for his removal has been given, critics argue that it represents a petty and politically motivated attempt to sideline one of the state’s most popular conservative officials.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.