In presidential impeachment trials, who presides?

• A. The Vice President
• B. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
• C. The Speaker of the House
• D. The President pro tempore

Answer: (B)

In presidential impeachment trials, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides. This arrangement comes from the Constitution to keep the proceedings fair and impartial, since the Vice President serves as President of the Senate and could have a conflict of interest if he or she chaired the trial of the President. The Chief Justice administers oaths, handles questions of law and procedure, and keeps the trial orderly, while the Senate acts as the jury and decides guilt or acquittal by a two-thirds vote. Other officials aren’t designated to preside in this specific case, because the Constitution assigns this role to the Chief Justice only for presidential impeachments.