IMPEACHMENT OF A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) If the House of Representatives votes in favor of impeaching President Donald J. Trump, a Senate trial would be presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.* On November 30, 1804, the United States Senate actually began preparations for an impeachment trial of Justice Samuel Chase**.
Chase, a Federalist, was accused of refusing to dismiss biased jurors and for excluding or limiting defense witnesses. Eight articles of impeachment were initiated by Representative John Randolph*** of Virginia.
Mr. Chase was described as a man with a "volcanic personality" who was unwilling to "tone down his bitter partisan rhetoric" after the Revolution of 1800 saw Thomas Jefferson's party win control of the executive and legislative branches.
The trial began on February 4, 1805 and ended on March 1, 1805 with Samuel Chase's acquittal on all charges. Six Jeffersonian-Republicans joined with nine Federalists to find the justice not-guilty on all counts. Chase remains the only justice of the Supreme Court to be impeached, and none have been convicted.
*Pundits argue that if Mr. Trump is impeached by the House, he will likely be acquitted in the Senate. The Constitution requires a 2/3 majority for conviction so that a bi-partisan vote is necessary.
**Samuel Chase (1741-1811) was born in Maryland & served as a member of the Continental Congress 1774-1778. SC was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
***John Randolph (1773-1833) was born in Hopewell, VA & served in both the US House & Senate. JR was also Minister to Russia. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party.
SOURCE
"Senate Prepares for Impeachment Trial", United States Senate, www.senate.gov/
Justice Samuel Chase
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) If the House of Representatives votes in favor of impeaching President Donald J. Trump, a Senate trial would be presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.* On November 30, 1804, the United States Senate actually began preparations for an impeachment trial of Justice Samuel Chase**.
Chase, a Federalist, was accused of refusing to dismiss biased jurors and for excluding or limiting defense witnesses. Eight articles of impeachment were initiated by Representative John Randolph*** of Virginia.
Mr. Chase was described as a man with a "volcanic personality" who was unwilling to "tone down his bitter partisan rhetoric" after the Revolution of 1800 saw Thomas Jefferson's party win control of the executive and legislative branches.
The trial began on February 4, 1805 and ended on March 1, 1805 with Samuel Chase's acquittal on all charges. Six Jeffersonian-Republicans joined with nine Federalists to find the justice not-guilty on all counts. Chase remains the only justice of the Supreme Court to be impeached, and none have been convicted.
*Pundits argue that if Mr. Trump is impeached by the House, he will likely be acquitted in the Senate. The Constitution requires a 2/3 majority for conviction so that a bi-partisan vote is necessary.
**Samuel Chase (1741-1811) was born in Maryland & served as a member of the Continental Congress 1774-1778. SC was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
***John Randolph (1773-1833) was born in Hopewell, VA & served in both the US House & Senate. JR was also Minister to Russia. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party.
SOURCE
"Senate Prepares for Impeachment Trial", United States Senate, www.senate.gov/
Justice Samuel Chase
Portrait by
John Beale Bordley
Maryland State Archives
John Beale Bordley
Maryland State Archives
