Unclear who presides at Trump trial if he's out of office
(Senate Television via AP)WASHINGTON โ The Constitution says the chief justice is to preside at the impeachment trial of a president. If President Donald Trumpโs trial begins after Jan. 20, itโs not clear whether Chief Justice John Roberts would make his way to the Senate chamber as he did last year for Trumpโs first trial. But if the stakes are changed and the sitting vice president no longer stands to get the top job, why not have Harris, who by then will have taken over for Mike Pence, preside? The House on Wednesday impeached the president, not the former president, Vladeck wrote on Twitter. โIndeed, if Trump resigned (or his term ended) mid-trial, it would be more than a little odd for the Chief Justice to give way to the Vice President.
Roberts a pivotal vote in the Supreme Court's big opinions
Four years ago the court's four liberal members and Justice Kennedy struck down a Texas law nearly identical to Louisiana's. Roberts wrote the court's opinion, joined by the four liberal justices. Six of the justices Roberts, the court's four liberals and Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch ruled against the Trump administration and in favor of the LGBT plaintiffs in the cases. But, on the same day, he served the Trump administration a defeat, writing an opinion that kept a citizenship question off the 2020 census. If those cases divide the court, Roberts' vote will again be key.
Roberts a pivotal vote in the Supreme Court's big opinions
Four years ago the court's four liberal members and Justice Kennedy struck down a Texas law nearly identical to Louisiana's. Roberts wrote the court's opinion, joined by the four liberal justices. Six of the justices Roberts, the court's four liberals and Trump appointee Neil Gorsuch ruled against the Trump administration and in favor of the LGBT plaintiffs in the cases. But, on the same day, he served the Trump administration a defeat, writing an opinion that kept a citizenship question off the 2020 census. If those cases divide the court, Roberts' vote will again be key.
Chief justice says pandemic teaches humility, compassion
FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2020, file photo Chief Justice of the United States, John Roberts walks to the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. Roberts told graduating seniors at his son's high school that the coronavirus has pierced our illusion of certainty and control" and counseled them to make their way in a world turned upside down with humility, compassion and courage. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)WASHINGTON Chief Justice John Roberts told graduating seniors at his son's high school that the coronavirus has pierced our illusion of certainty and control" and he counseled the students to make their way with humility, compassion and courage in a world turned upside down. Instead, the 65-year-old Roberts said students should show compassion, and not just for those who were sickened by or died of the virus. Some justices participated from home, Roberts said, and he said someone asked him if his colleagues wore their robes.