© 2026 ABC News

\"PHOTO:
ABC News
PHOTO: Rep. Adam Schiff reads articles of impeachment to the Senate at the Capitol, Jan. 16, 2020.
>

Also on Thursday, in keeping with the same rules governing those previous such trials, the Senate floor was opened so the lead House manager, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., could ritually read aloud, and into the trial record, the articles of impeachment about \"high crimes and misdemeanors,\" and the House resolution that appointed the managers who will present the case against the president.

\"PHOTO:
Senate Television via AP
PHOTO: In this image from video, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa., swears in Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as the presiding officer for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump in the Senate at the Capitol, Jan. 16, 2020.
>

The oath taken by Chief Justice John Roberts -- who then administered the same to senators - is spelled out in Senate rules and dates back to the late 1700s.

\"PHOTO:
Senate Television via AP
PHOTO: In this image from video, presiding officer Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts swears in members of the Senate for the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump at the Capitol, Jan. 16, 2020.
>

“I solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of President Donald Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws: So help me God,” it reads.

BREAKING: Chief Justice John Roberts: \"Do you solemnly wear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump...you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help you God?\"

Senators: \"I do.\" https://t.co/lmJgZSs2bJ pic.twitter.com/G45grkzhjK

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 16, 2020

In the age of electronic record-keeping, an old-school account of all senators taking the oath is kept as each one steps forward, in alphabetical order, to use a ceremonial pen to sign his or her name in an \"oath book.\"

\"PHOTO:
ABC News
PHOTO: Sen. Susan Collins signs in for impeachment trial, Jan. 16, 2020.
>

During the trial, senators are not allowed to speak, or have electronic devices, and questions must be submitted in writing.

When and how long the Senate, sitting as a jury, must meet, are prescribed as well.

According to the 1868 rules, the oaths must be administered beginning \"at twelve o'clock and thirty minutes afternoon.\"

The rules also say that the trial must continue six days a week, every day except Sunday, until it is over -- though that schedule is subject to change.

Just before adjourning Thursday, the Senate, just as it did more than 150 years ago, sent a ceremonial written summons to the White House, calling on the impeached president to appear and answer the articles against him.

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