Some thoughts on Chief Justice Roberts presiding over the Senate impeachment trial. I hear many people casually say that 51 senators can simply vote to overrule any decision of CJ Roberts. If 51 senators reverse a ruling of CJ Roberts . . .
that could have the look and feel of obstructing justice by assisting the administration in covering up Trump’s crimes. Here’s why: First, under the current Senate rules, Roberts will be in a position to rule on issues of “relevancy and materiality” of witnesses and evidence.
I spent 30 years in courtrooms litigating issues of relevancy and materiality. Any experienced attorney/litigator can tell you that Bolton’s testimony is extremely relevant and material, whereas testimony from the Bidens is neither relevant nor material to...
a resolution of the two articles of impeachment passed by the House. Second, Roberts mere presence will give the trial an air of legitimacy. If he presides over a sham trial he will be doing the nefarious bidding of Trump and McConnell. That could very well ...
tarnish Roberts himself and, by extension, the credibility, reputation and legitimacy of the Supreme Court as a whole.
Third, IMO, McConnell’s recent statement to @PeteWilliamsNBC that, “I would anticipate the chief justice would not actually make any ruling” shows...
Third, IMO, McConnell’s recent statement to @PeteWilliamsNBC that, “I would anticipate the chief justice would not actually make any ruling” shows...
a staggering amount of aspirational arrogance, signaling that McConnell believes he can ride roughshod over the Chief Justice. McConnell may have a bunch of weak, unpatriotic Senate Republicans ready to fall in line with his rigged trial, he may even have several weak, complicit
Republicans in the Trump administration ready to fall in line with his rigged trial, but if McConnell thinks he’s gonna drag down w/him the reputation of Chief Justice Roberts &, by extension, the legitimacy of the entire US Supreme Court, McConnell may have another thing coming.
