The US media, working for the Democrats has become a Soviet-style propaganda machines. Takes this article, which they call a "fact check" for example.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/poli...ide-over-trumps-impeachment-trial/ar-BB1d5hIA
Calling something a fact check is supposed to convince you that what they conclude is actually based on facts. But it is mostly opinion, or in this case all opinion.
First, Trump was still in office when he was impeached for a 2nd time. The trial that will be held in the senate is a ruling on the article of impeachment against then sitting president, Donald Trump. Democrats are making up the rules are we go through this process. First, impeaching a private citizen means they can impeach any candidate running for office before an election to bar him from running. Theoretically, if a Democrats control the House and Senate, they can impeach a candidate to bar him from running because he is polling better than their guy. This is total nonsense. Impeachment is to remove public officials, not private citizens. The constitution leaves the decision on private citizens to the voting public. Convicted felons have run for office in the past and some have won. Marion Barry comes to mind.
But this entire argument leaves out the important fact about the trial. Regardless of whether or not it is constitutional for a Senator to preside over an impeachment, the question is, is it appropriate? And how exactly can Leahy preside and also vote? What Democrats are saying is that impeachment doesn't have to be fair.
Finally, their conclusion is just an opinion, Why Roberts is not presiding is an open question. There have been numerous reports from SCOTUS watchers for some time that Roberts was uncomfortable presiding over a second impeachment. One report claimed he took a lot of threats and personal attacks during the last trial and he was uncomfortable going through that again. Another report indicated he did not think it is constitutional to try a private citizen in the Senate. Since when does the Senate have judiciary power?
This "fact check" is a cow pie and the media know it.