Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, the chamber’s president pro tempore, on Tuesday pledged fairness and an equal say for Senate lawmakers as he presides over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.

"My intention and solemn obligation is to conduct this trial with fairness to all," Leahy wrote in a letter to his Senate colleagues. "I will adhere, as have my predecessors in the Senate who have presided over impeachment trials, to the Constitution and to applicable Senate rules, precedent, and governing resolutions."

Leahy also promised to be guided by Senate precedent and to consult the Parliamentarian on the occasion of a motion, objection or request put before him.

Leahy, the chamber’s longest serving Democrat, will preside over the impeachment trial, which began Tuesday afternoon. Any decision he makes as the trial’s presiding officer is subject to review by the whole Senate, he said in the letter. He will also submit any constitutional questions brought up by the trial to the entire Senate.

Related posts:

Ilhan Omar: Chauvin trial ‘retraumatizing’ community Trump claims Gaetz ‘never asked me for a pardon’ She built her career boosting GOP women. Now Elise Stefanik is elevating herself Threats against members of Congress doubled in 2021, Capitol Police say ‘I just don’t think they get it’: The ex-Marine who holds Democrats’ Trumpiest district The Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure gang saddles up for one last ride Cori Bush steers progressives to win on eviction crisis Jan. 6 select panel takes over House probe of Trump DOJ Democrats omit debt limit from budget that launches $3.5T party-line spending plan Lawyer for House conservatives suing Pelosi has his own rap sheet Texas abortion law could still be ‘destroyed’ by Supreme Court, Cassidy says Dems want to clean up lawmaker stock trades. It could get messy.