### Texas Supreme Court Blocks Ken Paxton's Testimony in Whistleblower Case

In a pivotal decision, the Texas Supreme Court has reversed a previous mandate requiring Attorney General Ken Paxton to testify in the whistleblower lawsuit tied to his 2023 impeachment charges. The court determined that Paxton's office did not dispute any issues raised in the lawsuit filed by four former employees and had agreed to any judgment.

"This ruling marks a significant victory for the State of Texas," Paxton's office declared, criticizing the prolonged and politically-motivated litigation. The former employees claim that they were wrongfully terminated or forced out after reporting Paxton to the FBI for allegedly misusing his office to protect a friend and campaign donor. They also alleged that this donor was assisting Paxton in concealing an extramarital affair.

The Supreme Court highlighted that both the Texas governor and the Legislature had expressed a wish to hear testimonies from key witnesses before agreeing to allocate funds for a potential settlement. Forcing Paxton and other high-ranking officials—First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster, Chief of Staff Lesley French Henneke, and senior advisor Michelle Smith—to testify prematurely could improperly influence legislative decisions on appropriations, the court noted.

A preliminary agreement had Paxton apologizing to the former employees for labeling them "rogue" and agreeing to a settlement of $3.3 million, a sum he would request the state to cover. This demand was rejected by the state House, which then initiated its own investigation, eventually leading to Paxton's impeachment. Despite the vote for impeachment, Paxton was acquitted following a trial in the Senate.

The Supreme Court's decision is conditional, pending compliance from the lower trial court. However, the court expressed confidence that the trial court would adhere to the ruling.