Lakhota
Diamond Member
THOUGHTS FROM AN INDEPENDENT:
Maybe some of you folks can answer a few questions about a wild card in this impeachment trial few have discussed:
What is the role of Chief Justice Roberts? I know he is to "preside" over this Senate trial, but what exactly does that mean? Does he act just like a judge in a criminal trial? Can he rule on subpoenas? What powers (if any) does he have at
his disposal if he thinks one side or the other is acting unfairly?
Frankly I don't
know the answers, and the Constitution is rather vague on this. Any input would be appreciated.
Good question. I'm no expert, but I've heard that it will partly depend on how "involved" and "forceful" Justice Roberts wishes to be. In other words - he apparently has "flexibility". We are all in the dark - because there has never been such a serious/grave impeachment trial in U.S. history. I seriously doubt that Justice Roberts would allow McConnell to run a sham/rigged trial. Justice Roberts also cares about his legacy - and he knows this will be a "major" part of it - if not the most "major". No one benefits from an unfair trial. No one! I find the following link very informative.
How John Roberts might oversee a Senate impeachment trial - CNNPolitics