If the President is tried for impeachment, who presides over the trial?

In the event that the President of the United States is impeached, the trial takes place in the Senate. According to the U.S. Constitution, specifically Article I, Section 3, when the President is tried, the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court presides over the proceedings. This provision is designed to ensure impartiality and uphold the legitimacy of the trial, given the gravity of impeaching a sitting president. The Chief Justice's role is crucial as they bring judicial experience to the process and help maintain order and decorum in the Senate during the trial.

The other roles mentioned do not pertain to the presiding officer in an impeachment trial. The Vice President typically serves as the President of the Senate but is not involved in presiding over the impeachment of a President. The Speaker of the House, while a significant figure in the legislative process, has no role in the impeachment trial itself, as that authority lies with the Senate. The Attorney General does not preside over such trials and is primarily involved in legal matters pertaining to the executive branch. Thus, the Chief Justice's involvement is what distinguishes this particular process and underscores the balance of powers within the U.S. government.