Report: Paxton’s Nearly 1,000 Trips Cost Texas Taxpayers Millions
A ProPublica and Texas Tribune investigation found that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took nearly 1,000 out-of-state trips since 2015, with only 138 linked to official business. The travel cost taxpayers about $3.3 million, including a security detail that averaged $24,000 per month. Paxton’s office said the protection was needed because his work against cartels and violent criminals generated threats.
A joint ProPublica and Texas Tribune review examined Ken Paxton’s out-of-state travel while he served as Texas attorney general. It identified almost 1,000 trips since 2015, but only 138 were connected to official duties. The total taxpayer cost reached roughly $3.3 million, with his security detail averaging $24,000 monthly; his predecessor’s averaged $7,400.
The report noted 53 Florida trips, 24 to Utah—where a family trust has real estate—and 19 abroad. Paxton’s office said protection was necessary because threats followed his efforts against cartels and dangerous offenders. He is also a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.
The report could intensify scrutiny of how state officials use public resources for travel and protection. Texas taxpayers may question whether such spending reflects public duties, while voters in Paxton’s Senate bid could weigh the findings in their choices. It may also prompt broader discussions about oversight and documentation of security costs, affecting how agencies balance safety needs with transparency.