# Why did the framers include the Chief Justice in Impeachment Trials?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-framers-include-the-chief-justice-in-impeachment-trials/846180>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [January 9, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-framers-include-the-chief-justice-in-impeachment-trials/846180 "2020-01-09T17:34:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-framers-include-the-chief-justice-in-impeachment-trials/846180/21 "2020-01-11T22:05:42Z")

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> [@Northern\_Piper](#):
>
> The real puzzle is why they didn’t provide that the Chief Justice has to preside over an impeachment trial of the Veep.

Maybe the drafters were tired by then. Was any mention made in the Federalist Papers of impeaching VPs? IANAL but I’d guess the Senate is left to draft rules of VP trials. A kinky Senate might have the impeached (indicted) VP preside over their OWN trial. No satirical reporting would be possible; IRL absurdity would trump any parody. The accused = the judge = a jury member whose vote would break ties. _Sacre bleu!_

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