AUSTIN, Texas — The verdict in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s two-week long impeachment trial rang out across the nation Saturday. Republican votes for his acquittal remained rather consistent throughout the 16 articles of impeachment.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick concluded the trial with an intense berating of the Texas House for impeaching Paxton without clear evidence of his alleged corruption and bribery. The attorney general was suspended from his duties and on unpaid leave during the impeachment process. In an official statement, Patrick said Paxton should not have been placed on unpaid leave and used the federal system’s handling of impeachment inquiries as an example of not doing so.

Gov. Greg Abbott, like Patrick, has said little if anything about the impeachment proceedings. The Texas governor’s reaction to the news was short and to the point. He praised the trial as fair and shared his support for Paxton.

Contrary to Patrick’s claims, Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan affirmed that extensive evidence of Paxton’s wrongdoings in office was handed over to the Senate. The decision to clear Paxton from his impeachment charges was a blow to Phelan. He feels Texans were denied justice in the rulings.

Phelan made an even bigger claim, saying that the trial proceedings seemed orchestrated.

Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, accused Phelan of bullying his constituents to vote to impeach Paxton, and called the trial a witch hunt. He said he knew from the start that there was no proof to convict Paxton.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, said it shouldn’t be a surprise that Paxton avoided impeachment. He said that Paxton’s primary concern has been pleasing conservative donors. Castro sees the acquittal as confirmation of the Texas GOP’s corruption. He implores Texans to vote the supposedly crooked politicians out.

From San Antonio, leader of the Texas House Democratic Caucus and state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer opposed the acquittal, and said this decision should not be a reflection of the state of Texas.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, applauded the outcome and said he counts on Paxton to continue his duties in office.

Former President Donald Trump, also the leading Republican contender for the GOP race, congratulated Paxton on winning the case. Via his social media platform, he wrote, “Congratulations to Attorney General Ken Paxton on a great and historic Texas sized VICTORY.”

Trump went after Phelan, stating he should resign and calling the trial a “disgraceful sham.”

A majority of Republicans stayed loyal to their party. However, there were two conservatives who went against the grain. Sens. Robert Nichols of Jacksonville and Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills voted for articles of impeachment against Paxton.

The senators’ decision to veer from the majority Republican vote sparked some animosity among other far-right conservatives. Some have come out and threatened retribution for their actions at the impeachment trial.

Paxton, of course, was very pleased with his lawyers and the turnout of the trial.