I wrote, "If he's a private citizen, what authority have they? Isn't that a bill of attainder?"
How can it be part of the trial function of the impeachment when there can't be an impeachment of a private citizen?
Constitution was drawn up during the Age of Reason, so maybe my reasoning is obsolete :)
Because the House plans to pass articles of impeachment prior to him becoming a private citizen. Schumer will go forward with the trial to get to the disqualification penalty. That penalty only requires a majority vote, not 2/3 as is the case for removal. Guess who has the majority after Jan 20?