Investigation: Paxton’s state security detail cost Texans $3.3M, most trips unexplained
A ProPublica/Texas Tribune review finds only 1 in 6 of Ken Paxton’s nearly 1,000 state-funded security trips had a documented business purpose.
Part of a larger narrative
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What to know
- Nearly 1,000 trips with a state-funded security detail since 2015 cost Texas taxpayers $3.3 million; only 138 trips ($553,000) could be tied to official state business.
- Only about 1 in 6 trips had a stated business purpose, according to the newsrooms' review of public records covering visits to 36 states and 19 countries.
- Some trips, including to Hawaii, Utah and Florida, coincide with properties owned by Paxton or his family's blind trust.
- Paxton is currently running for U.S. Senate and has previously dismissed claims that he used office perks for personal gain.
“If you’ve got all these extra trips, it becomes ethically and morally problematic.”
Chris Toth, Former executive director, National Association of Attorneys General · ProPublica ↗ · Oct 8
Ken Paxton Texas Attorney General, U.S. Senate candidateChris Toth Former executive director, National Association of Attorneys GeneralZach Despart Reporter, ProPublica/Texas Tribune
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articlesposts
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ProPublica recirculates findings in follow-up post — ProPublica republished a condensed version of the investigation's key figures—nearly 1,000 trips and $3.3 million in security costs, with only 138 trips tied to state business—reiterating the story's core findings.
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ProPublica and Texas Tribune detail $3.3M in security spending
A joint investigation reviewing Paxton's public travel records found nearly 1,000 trips with a state-funded security detail since 2015 costing $3.3 million, with only 138 trips and $553,000 traceable to state business; most records for visits to 36 states and 19 countries show no stated purpose.
“The ethical question is whether a legitimate security function has effectively become a taxpayer-funded subsidy.”
— Chris Toth -
first by Mastodon, 4d ago · also Texas Tribune, ProPublica
3 more headlines
- Ken Paxton took nearly 1,000 trips with state-funded security detail costing millions of dollars The Texas Tribune · 4d ago
- Ken Paxton's Security for Travel Cost Taxpayers Millions. Just 1 in 6 of His Trips Had a Stated Business Purpose. ProPublica · 4d ago
- Ken Paxton took at least 17 trips while suspended — and taxpayers paid for his security Mastodon · 4d ago
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NEW: Records show Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken nearly 1,000 trips during his tenure, costing $3.3 million in security. We could only connect 138 of those trips and $553,000 in security costs to state business. with @texastribune.org
2 more of the top 3 · 16 posts in this stretch
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REPUBLICAN CORRUPTION Texas Senate candidate Republican Ken Paxton took nearly 1,000 business trips during his tenure as Texas Attorney General, costing taxpayers millions of dollars along the way. Only one in six of them actually had to do with work # AureFreePress # News # uspol # uspolitics # BreakingNews https:// newrepublic.com/post/216475/ke…
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Ken Paxton’s records do not show a business purpose for travel to Albania, Aruba, Australia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, England, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Poland, South Africa or Taiwan. with @texastribune.org
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AP reports Paxton traveled frequently with little on his calendar — The Associated Press reported that Paxton has traveled frequently out of state while listing little information about the trips on his official calendar, prompting the fuller ProPublica/Texas Tribune review.
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Texas Senate acquits Paxton on impeachment charges — The Texas Senate acquitted Paxton on the impeachment charges he faced for alleged abuse of office for personal gain, ending his suspension.
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Paxton takes resort trips with state security while suspended — During his roughly three-month suspension amid impeachment proceedings, Paxton took at least 17 trips, including to Park City, Utah, and Vail, Colorado, with a state police detail accompanying him each time.
What people are saying 12 voices from 2 sites · best of 16 · verbatim
- Oct 12
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While suspended from office and awaiting his impeachment trial, Texas AG Ken Paxton took at least 17 trips. State police joined him each time, costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars for trips unrelated to his job. with @texastribune.org
- Oct 11
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"Since assuming office in 2015, Paxton has taken nearly 1,000 trips with a state-funded security detail, costing $3.3 million. The newsrooms’ review of Paxton’s travel records, obtained through the state’s Public Information Act, could only connect 138 of those trips and $553,000 in security costs to state business." Why local journalism is so…
- Oct 10
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Records show Ken Paxton has taken nearly 1,000 trips during his tenure as AttorneyGeneral, costing Texas taxpayers $3.3 million in security expenses @propublica.org could only connect 138 of those trips and $553,000 in security costs to state business
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www.propublica.org/article/ken-... @propublica.org is so good.
- Oct 9
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https://www. texastribune.org/2026/10/09/ke n-paxton-travel-costs/
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"Records show the Texas attorney general has taken nearly 1,000 trips during his tenure, costing $3.3 million in security. We could only connect 138 of those trips and $553,000 in security costs to state business." by @zachdespart.bsky.social / @propublica.org / @texastribune.org
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"after he was impeached on charges of abusing his office for personal gain, # Texas Attorney General # KenPaxton was suspended & barred from conducting any official # business for more than three months while awaiting trial in the state # Senate . So, he traveled. ... took at least 17 trips over three months... State police joined him each time…
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Records show Ken Paxton has taken nearly 1,000 trips during his tenure, costing $3.3 million in security. @propublica.org could only connect 138 of those trips and $553,000 in security costs to state business.
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One more bloodsucking #grifter: #KenPaxton has taken nearly 1000 trips during his time as #TX #AG, costing #taxpayers $3.3M in security. @propublica.org could only connect 138 of those trips and $553,000 in costs to actual #Texas state business. www.propublica.org/article/ken-... #Vote4Talarico
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To analyze Paxton’s travel, @propublica.org and the @texastribune.org reviewed DPS logs for his security detail and records from the attorney general’s office, including airfare and lodging receipts, per diems and his daily calendars.
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www.propublica.org/article/ken-... Ken Paxton’s Security for Trav...
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Paxton, a Republican who is now running for U.S. Senate, took at least 17 trips over three months, including to resort destinations Park City, Utah, and Vail, Colorado. https://www. houstonpublicmedia.org/article…