Gov. Abbott appoints interim attorney general as Ken Paxton awaits trial

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed John Scott to serve as interim attorney general, according to a May 31 news release. Scott previously served as interim secretary of state before resigning in December.

How we got here: Ken Paxton, who previously served as attorney general, was impeached by the Texas House in a 121-23 vote. Investigators and Paxton's former employees accused him of bribery, conspiracy and other forms of misconduct.

Following impeachment, Paxton is suspended from office and cannot serve as attorney general, according to state law. The Texas Senate will conduct a trial to determine whether Paxton will be reinstated or permanently removed from office.

Quote of note: “John Scott has the background and experience needed to step in as a short-term interim attorney general during the time the attorney general has been suspended from duty,” Abbott said a statement. “He served under me in the Texas Attorney General’s Office and knows how the Office of the Attorney General operates. ... His decades of experience and expertise in litigation will help guide him while serving as the state’s top law enforcement officer.”

Abbott has not commented directly on the impeachment of Ken Paxton.

Stay tuned: A seven-member Senate committee, which includes five Republicans and two Democrats, will draft rules and procedures for the impeachment trial. The proposed rules will be presented to the full Senate on June 20.

After the rules are approved, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who oversees the Senate, will set a date for the trial. The trial must begin by Aug. 28, per a resolution approved by the Senate on May 29.