Why the Spotlight On Chief Justice Roberts May Soon Be Brighter—and Why That Matters

[Elderberry]

Take Care by Brianne J. Gorod 6/13/19

With Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report out, and President Trump engaging in unprecedented obstruction of congressional efforts to investigate him and his Administration, calls for the House of Representatives to at least begin an impeachment inquiry are ramping up.  Even House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler has recognized that “[t]he president’s continuing lawless conduct is making it harder and harder to rule out impeachment or any other enforcement mechanism.”

If the House were to open an impeachment inquiry and that inquiry ultimately resulted in a vote to impeach, President Trump wouldn't be the only one in the spotlight.  Chief Justice John Roberts would be there, too, because he would be responsible for presiding over the trial that would take place in the Senate.  And that’s why it’s more important now than ever that Roberts demonstrate that he’s capable of being the impartial umpire he famously promised to be at his confirmation hearing.

The constitutional rules governing impeachment are sparse, but the broadest guidelines are clear.  The President and other civil officers “shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”  The House of Representatives has the “sole Power of Impeachment,” but impeachment alone doesn’t remove someone from office.  Instead, a person can be removed from office only if two-thirds of the members of the Senate, which “shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments,” vote to convict.  And “[w]hen the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside. . . .” 

More: https://takecareblog.com/blog/why-the-spotlight-on-chief-justice-roberts-may-soon-be-brighter-and-why-that-matters