The constitutional text

Article I · Section 3

Select any highlighted phrase to understand what it means.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, [chosen by the Legislature thereof,]* for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; [and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.]* No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States

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.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Source: National Constitution Center edition. Original wording is preserved; commentary explains historical and superseded provisions.

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Article I, Section 3, Clause 6 — presidential trial

Why the Chief Justice presides at a presidential trial

Current text
When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside:

What it means

When the President is tried, the Chief Justice presides over the Senate proceeding. The clause specifies this arrangement for a presidential trial rather than making the Chief Justice the presiding officer for every impeachment.

Historical setting

The Vice President ordinarily presides over the Senate and may succeed a removed President. Substituting the Chief Justice responds to the obvious institutional concern about allowing a potential successor to chair the removal proceeding.

What it does

Presiding does not transfer the power of conviction from senators to the Chief Justice. The Senate remains the trial body, subject to the constitutional voting requirement.

Debate & interpretation

The rule shows how a narrow procedural choice can address a conflict without redesigning the entire tribunal. Its application to unusual situations, including proceedings involving former officials, has itself prompted constitutional disagreement.

A common misreading

The Chief Justice does not decide alone whether to remove the President and does not preside over every federal officer’s impeachment.

Think it through

Why separate control of a proceeding from the final authority to decide its outcome?

Follow the connection

Sources & further reading

Original Madison Center commentary. Explanations distinguish the text, historical context, and interpretive disagreements.

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