The constitution is pretty clear - the chief justice is required to preside only when the president (and that is "the" president, language that excludes ex-presidents) is the one being impeached.
Just because it makes no sense, it doesn't mean something that is factually incorrect is the correct option (they're not impeaching him "as president", since he quite obviously isn't president)
The constitution is pretty clear - the chief justice is required to preside only when the president (and that is "the" president, language that excludes ex-presidents) is the one being impeached.
They're impeaching him as President. Otherwise they're impeaching a private citizen, which makes no sense.
Yes, it makes no sense
Just because it makes no sense, it doesn't mean something that is factually incorrect is the correct option (they're not impeaching him "as president", since he quite obviously isn't president)
They impeached him as President. Now they're trying him as not-President? Nonsense. You are tried for what you're impeached.