Roberts to attend Trump’s State of the Union address

Chief Justice John Roberts will attend President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday as his role in Trump’s impeachment trial comes to a close.

Roberts, who is constitutionally obligated to preside over the Senate impeachment trial of a president, has played a mostly ceremonial role since his Jan. 16 swearing-in as the trial’s presiding officer. 

Trump’s speech Tuesday could contain some awkward moments, as it will give the combative president his first chance to confront, face-to-face, the House Democrats who impeached him and the senators who will vote Wednesday on the House-passed articles. Trump is virtually guaranteed to be acquitted.

In addition to Roberts, Justices Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh are expected to be in attendance for Trump’s speech, a court spokeswoman said.

Justice Stephen Breyer will miss the event due to “flu-like symptoms,” but otherwise would be there, the spokeswoman added.

Court watchers say Roberts assumed his role as presiding officer with reluctance, and is likely relieved to have carried out his duty with little fanfare.