The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. [emphasis added]Presumably, then, the Senate will attempt to convict a private citizen.
He is an ex-officer.
The theory is that Senate is allowed to do it because otherwise people would do what Belknap tried to do..resign and then try to escape the consequences...namely disqualification to hold office.
Maybe. However I still recognize Donald Trump as the current legally elected president now in exile. See tagline.
This being true, the House and Senate are now trying to legally and constitutionally remove President Trump from office.
If they want to go with the whole “he was President when he was impeached by the House” argument, then for this trial, would he not also be considered President and therefore, the chief justice should preside? If they’re now stating he’s a private citizen and since the chief justice won’t preside, they can appoint someone, well... the senate doesn’t have the authority to try private citizens. I don’t see how, by any logic, this is constitutional.
You are correct. They are trying to convict a PRIVATE CITIZEN of impeachment for the EXPRESSED reason to PREVENT Trump from running for office again. Clearly unconstitutional because the Congress could impeach and convict ANY US Citizen to prevent them from running for office in the future. This is the way for the Swamp to guarantee that only SWAMP CREATURES can run for office. The constitution CLEARLY spells out what the requirements are for Federal Office, and Congress cannot over rule that. At least not in a Old Republic. As for the current USSA...anything goes.