Judge and sens. take solemn oath

For just the third time in history, the chief justice of the United States administered the impeachment oath in the Senate as President Trump’s historic trial on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress officially got underway Thursday.

The somber opening ceremony, which stretched several hours, began with the reading of the two impeachment articles by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who spearheaded the inquiry in his chamber and now serves as the trial’s lead impeachment manager arguing the Democratic case.

“President Trump,” Schiff said, “warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.”

After Schiff’s reading, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was escorted into the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms and four senior senators.

Roberts, wearing the traditional black Supreme Court robe, offered no embellishments other than taking the 222-year-old oath to deliver “impartial justice” in accordance with “the Constitution and the laws” as the presiding officer of Trump’s trial.

After his swearing-in, Roberts administered the same oath to the senators, who will serve as Trump’s jurors.

One by one, the senators then signed a so-called oath book before Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) recessed the chamber until Tuesday afternoon, when opening arguments are expected to begin.

As the arcane ritual played out in the Senate, Trump renewed his furious tirade against his impeachment.

“It’s a big hoax,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives on Dec. 18 over his attempts to pressure Ukraine’s president to launch investigations of Joe Biden while using $391 million in U.S. military aid and a coveted White House meeting as leverage.