The corruption probe was the last significant inquiry into Paxton as he eyes a potential run to unseat U.S. Sen. John Cornyn next year.

The Justice Department decided in the final weeks of Biden's term not to prosecute Paxton, effectively ending the investigation that cast a shadow over the career of a close ally of President Trump.

An Associated Press report that cited two unnamed sources said the decision was made "quietly" during the final weeks of the Biden Administration.