Former President Donald Trump publicly criticized Texas Governor Greg Abbott for his silence in the wake of the impeachment of the state's Attorney General, Ken Paxton, who is currently mired in a corruption scandal.

On Sunday, Trump, 76, claimed that Abbott had neglected his duty to protect the attorney general of Texas, an official he has staunchly defended despite the ongoing controversy. Paxton, a Republican like Abbott, was impeached this past weekend by the state's GOP-led House of Representatives on charges including bribery and abuse of public trust.

Despite the high-profile political shakeup, Abbott, who has held the governorship since 2015, has abstained from commenting, a silence that spurred Trump's public outcry. The former president took to Truth Social, saying, "MISSING IN ACTION! Where is the Governor of Texas on his Attorney General's Impeachment?"

Trump has consistently expressed support for Paxton, denouncing the impeachment process led by the state House as "very unfair." The attorney general was impeached by a resounding vote of 121-23 in the Texas House of Representatives.

As a historical point of reference, Trump himself was impeached twice during his presidency, but each time was acquitted by the U.S. Senate.

Following his impeachment, Paxton, 60, will be temporarily ousted from office but given the opportunity to defend his position and prevent permanent removal during a state Senate trial. The final decision to remove Paxton would require a vote against him by two-thirds of the state Senate.

Republican State Representative David Spiller commented on the situation, stating, "No one person should be above the law, least not the top law officer of the state of Texas."

Expressing steadfast assurance in the face of his impending trial, Paxton declared that he enters the Senate trial with "full confidence." In the meantime, Governor Abbott has the authority to appoint an interim replacement.

Paxton, now serving his third term, has been Texas's attorney general for several years.