Chief Justice John Roberts will attend President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE’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.

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In addition to Roberts, Justices Elena Kagan Elena KaganDemocrats, advocates seethe over Florida voting rights ruling Supreme Court denies push to add Green Party candidates to Montana ballot Stakes high for Supreme Court as Trump battles for reelection MORE, Neil Gorsuch Neil GorsuchConservatives see glaring omission on Trump's Supreme Court shortlist Cruz says he wouldn't accept Supreme Court nomination Trump's Supreme Court list reveals influence of Clarence Thomas MORE and Brett Kavanaugh Brett Michael KavanaughGideon leads Collins by 12 points in Maine Senate race: poll Conservatives see glaring omission on Trump's Supreme Court shortlist Cruz says he wouldn't accept Supreme Court nomination MORE are expected to be in attendance for Trump’s speech, a court spokeswoman said.

Justice Stephen BreyerStephen BreyerTrump's Supreme Court list reveals influence of Clarence Thomas President Nancy Pelosi? Don't underestimate what she might do in office Trump unveils Supreme Court list, includes Cruz and Cotton MORE 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.