MONTPELIER | Vermont U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D) announced that he will preside over the Senate’s impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Leahy sent an email statement to news reporters Jan. 25 about his role in the historic trial linked to the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol protest turned violent.
Being the Senate’s president pro tempore, Leahy is now third in line to the presidency. The president pro tempore has historically presided over Senate impeachment trials of non-presidents.
When presiding over an impeachment trial, the president pro tempore takes an additional special oath to do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws.
“It is an oath that I take extraordinarily seriously,” Leahy said.
Leahy noted that each president pro tempore has historically served as a “neutral arbiter”, issuing rulings where appropriate and preserving order.
“I consider holding the office of the president pro tempore and the responsibilities that come with it to be one of the highest honors and most serious responsibilities of my career. When I preside over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, I will not waiver from my constitutional and sworn obligations to administer the trial with fairness, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws,” he added.