What’s the deal with Roberts not presiding?

[Ted King]

pdq wrote:
Doesn’t the Constitution specify that the trial is to be presided over by the Chief Justice?

...or does it say, if he wants to, and is not too busy?

Or do constitutional duties only apply to Democrats?

I think the problem is that Trump is no longer the president and the Constitution says that the the Chief Justice will preside of the impeachment trial of the president but not explicitly talk about the impeachment of an ex-president. So... I think they'll make the rules up as they go. I think it could end up with the Chief Justice presiding but I don't think the Constitution makes clear what to do in this situation.