The notion that the trial would approach a level of judicial legitimacy ended when Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the senate’s presiding officer, accepted $3 million from a pro-Paxton group, the Defend Texas Liberty PAC. The organization’s goal? Pushing Texas policies to the right edge of the flat earth.

“I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.” —Anna Quindlen

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s latest fascist edict is to ban the media from the Senate floor. This adds another level of constraint to the dissemination of the truth to keep voters informed and able to make decisions that rid the legislature of people like Mr. Patrick.