Senators take oath for impeachment trial
Members of the senate took an oath on Thursday to uphold “impartial justice” as President Trump’s impeachment trial gets underway.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath to senators, who were standing at their desks on the Senate floor with their right hands raised.
“Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, president of the United States, now pending, you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help you god?” Roberts asked senators.
Senators then walked down to the front of the chamber as their names were called to sign the oath book.
Ninety-nine senators took the oath.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) was the only senator who missed the swearing in for the trial. His office said in a statement that he was in Oklahoma with a family member “facing a medical issue.”
“He plans to return to Washington on Tuesday where he will be sworn in with no delay to the impeachment process,” his office added.
Senators began taking the oath minutes after Roberts was sworn in to preside over the weeks-long impeachment trial.
The chamber is working through a list of housekeeping items on Thursday, including having House managers formally present the articles.
The trial will get underway in earnest on Tuesday when senators debate and pass a resolution on the rules of the trial.
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