When the President of the United States is tried for impeachment, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court presides over the trial. This is mandated by the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 3, Clause 6) to avoid a conflict of interest, since the Vice President, who normally presides over the Senate, would stand to benefit by becoming President if the sitting President were removed
. The Chief Justice's role is largely ceremonial and procedural rather than judicial in the traditional sense. While the Chief Justice can rule on questions during the trial, such rulings can be overruled by a majority vote of the Senate. The Senate has the final authority on all procedural and evidentiary matters during the impeachment trial
. In contrast, if the person being tried is not the President (for example, a Vice President or other federal official), the presiding officer is usually the Vice President or, in their absence, the President pro tempore of the Senate. For example, in the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump (after he left office), the Senate President pro tempore Patrick Leahy presided, not the Chief Justice
. In summary:
- President's impeachment trial: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides.
- Other officials' impeachment trials: Vice President or President pro tempore of the Senate presides.
- Former Presidents' trials: President pro tempore or another senator presides, as the Chief Justice is constitutionally required only when a sitting President is tried
