The Senate has the sole power to try impeachments. The Vice President is the President of the Senate. He presides. The Constitution provides for only one exception in cases of impeachment: “When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside.” That’s because of the obvious conflict-of-interest of having the VP preside when the President is tried. But there’s no similar provision for having someone else preside if the Vice President is impeached.
That is certainly a flaw.
Congress should start the process to add another amendment to the US Constitution to provide that the Supreme Court Chief Justice shall preside at the impeachment trial of Vice-President.
It might be a good idea to extend that to the impeachment trial of any member of the executive branch.
This is my 36th suggested amendment to the US constitution.
Filed under: U.S. Constitution |
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