Introduction

A new investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune exposes the true cost of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's travel, revealing that his security detail has cost taxpayers $3.3 million across nearly 1,000 trips, with only one in six outings logged for official business.

What Happened

Records show Paxton has taken nearly 1,000 trips since taking office in 2015, costing $3.3 million in state-funded security. Analysts could only connect 138 of those trips and $553,000 in costs to stated state business. The review covered travel to 36 states and 19 countries, including frequent visits to Utah, Florida, and Hawaii, many of which overlap with properties owned by Paxton or his family's trust.

Why This Matters

The findings raise serious ethics questions about the use of taxpayer-funded security for personal or political travel. Compared to his predecessor Greg Abbott, who averaged $7,400 per month in security costs, Paxton's detail averages $24,300 monthly—more than triple the cost. Critics argue the detail has become a de facto subsidy for the attorney general's personal and political activities.

Key Takeaways

  • Only 138 of nearly 1,000 trips were documented as state business, amounting to $553,000 in security costs.
  • Paxton's security detail costs over $24,000 per month, significantly higher than predecessors and peers.
  • Travel records show frequent trips to states where Paxton or his family trust later purchased property, including Utah, Florida, and Hawaii.
  • Paxton's office did not provide trip-by-trip justifications, and the state keeps limited records.
  • Ethics experts and former officials say the pattern invites scrutiny over whether security is being used for personal benefit.

Conclusion

As Paxton runs for U.S. Senate, the investigation reveals a stark gap between the volume of his travel and the documented justification for it. Whether the security detail serves public safety or personal convenience remains a subject of intense public and ethical debate.