Impeachment Maelstrom Pulls Chief Justice Into Politics He Shuns
Chief Justice John Roberts faces the challenge of trying to bring judicial independence — and a modicum of decorum — into the political maelstrom of a Senate impeachment trial, writes Greg Stohr for Bloomberg.
“Roberts, 64, will take up those duties as a singular figure in American public life,” Stohr explains. “Even as he has steered the court to the right over the past 15 years, the Republican-appointed Roberts has staunchly defended the judiciary’s independence and shown an occasional willingness to push back against Trump.”
The extent of Roberts’ role in the impeachment trial of President Trump may be limited, however. Roberts may not want to call a vote on every issue, and he could use some disputes as an opportunity to try to give the proceedings an aura of fairness.
