Chief Justice Roberts admonishes the House Managers and the President's counsel to "remember where they are" and "avoid speaking in a manner and avoid using language that is not conducive to civil discourse."

"I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House Managers and the President's counsel, in equal terms, to remember that they are addressing the world's greatest deliberative body. One reason it has earned that title is because its members avoid speaking in a manner and avoid using language that is not conducive to civil discourse. In the 1905 Swain trial, a Senator objected when one of the managers used the word 'pettifogging,' and the presiding officer said the word ought not to have been used. I don't think we need to aspire to that high a standard, but I do think those addressing the Senate should remember where they are."

I didn't watch much of yesterday's theatrics, but I did think the style of speech was inappropriate for a legal presentation. It was more like actors in a courtroom drama. Lawyers arguing in the U.S. Supreme Court do not take anything like that tone. I only heard a small bit of argument from House Managers, but it was obvious to me that they were speaking through the cameras at the American people and trying to gain political ground. I was able to vocalize disgust and walk away, but the Chief Justice is required to sit there and listen, and all the Senators are required to sit there and listen, and the form of speech really disrespects them.

There's so much talk about solemnity and seriousness, but these characters are speaking like they're in a Hollywood melodrama. Something really wrong is going on here....



IN THE COMMENTS: Darrell says: "Sure. Criticize both sides. That makes you look impartial. That's what losers do." But if you look at the Washington Post's story on the Roberts admonishment, you'll see the highest-rated comments there accuse Roberts of bias against the Democrats:

Highest-rated:

In trying to be fair Justice Roberts is accepting the lying of the executive branch as equal. Shame on him. The world is watching.....

Second-highest rated:

Too bad Chief Justice Roberts did not see a need to admonish McConnell when the Senate refused to hold hearings or an up or down vote on Merrick Garland's nomination, leaving a Supreme Court seat open for a year. And too bad Roberts was silent again when McConnell orchestrated a change in the rules governing confirmation for the Supreme Court to allow a Justice to be seated based on a simple majority vote. Insults on the floor of the Senate, even during an impeachment trial doesn't compare to the damage McConnell has done to the Court, to Congress, the Constitution and the Country through his actions.