Paxton Sues DOJ Over Trump Records, Files 100th Lawsuit Against Biden Admin

AUSTIN, TX - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Department of Justice on Tuesday, seeking to prevent the potential destruction of records related to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former President Donald Trump.

Paxton’s action follows a recent Freedom of Information Act request for records connected to what he describes as an unconstitutional investigation into the former president.

In the lawsuit, Paxton argues that similar investigations by prior special counsels, including Robert Mueller, resulted in lost or destroyed records. He is now requesting a preservation order to ensure that records from Smith’s investigation are safeguarded.

“The American people deserve transparency, and those responsible for these unlawful witch hunts must not destroy the evidence of their own misdeeds,” Paxton stated.

Paxton expressed concerns that the documents he seeks could be withheld indefinitely and accused the DOJ of potentially obstructing transparency by failing to preserve relevant records.

This lawsuit also marks Paxton’s 100th legal challenge against the Biden administration, underscoring a lengthy dispute over what he characterizes as federal overreach and abuses of power. Paxton’s legal actions have targeted various federal policies, including those affecting the oil and gas sector, immigration, and state autonomy.

Paxton’s latest filing seeks to block a recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule on federal prisoners’ phone calls, which he claims unlawfully burdens taxpayers and overrides state laws. In a statement, Paxton described the Biden administration as engaging in “a ruthless weaponization against the American people,” citing instances where the administration’s policies allegedly infringed on constitutional rights.

Since the Biden administration began, Paxton has led Texas’s legal opposition, winning a substantial number of cases. Among his notable victories, Paxton successfully challenged the administration’s policies on border security and immigration, including a halt on federal construction funds for the border wall and blocking a “parole in place” policy for immigrants.

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