With the trail phase of the impeachment of President Trump about to begin there is a prominent, if currently unknown player about to take center stage. Her name is Elizabeth MacDonough and she is the Parliamentarian of the US Senate.
She and her aides have to advise Chief Justice John Roberts on how to run that trial and address a slew of arcane procedural questions that few — if any — had ever been asked. Their answers will influence how the historic event unfolds.
While Roberts is tasked with overseeing the proceedings from the Senate’s most prominent chair, it will be MacDonough hovering, omnipresent but essentially unseen, in the corner of the frame, offering guidance the entire time.
She and her team will be tasked with delivering to Roberts the daily program that he’ll use to guide the proceedings.
She will also be the one helping Roberts keep track of the clock as he calls on the people with assigned speaking roles — Trump’s White House and personal attorneys, Senate leaders and the House impeachment managers who will present the case for the Democrats.
Perhaps most importantly, though, MacDonough will be the one who must give the chief justice instant advice should he need to make any snap rulings or decisions that could influence the trajectory of the trial.
A powerful position filled by a career government employee.