"High-profile departures and political ambitions surround Ken Paxton's impeachment defense"

Two top deputies of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Solicitor General Judd Stone and Assistant Attorney General Christopher Hilton, have resigned from the embattled office to continue private practice at the Stone Hilton Law Firm. Stone and Hilton had previously taken leave without pay to assist Paxton's defense team during his impeachment trial, which ended in his acquittal. Concerns were raised about the office's ability to function properly during their extended absence. The attorney general's office has not yet announced successors for their positions.