How Did Mace Windu Intend To Explain His Attack on the Chancellor if He Survived?

We all remember the dramatic confrontation between Mace Windu and Chancellor Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith. 

It’s one of the most intense moments in Star Wars history—Windu, determined to end the Sith threat once and for all, faces off against Palpatine, the man secretly pulling the strings behind the galaxy’s chaos.

But what if things had gone differently? 

Imagine Mace Windu succeeded in defeating Palpatine and survived the ordeal. How would he explain his actions to the Senate, the Jedi Council, and the entire Republic? 

Killing the Supreme Chancellor, even one revealed to be a Sith Lord, would have been a monumental act with massive political repercussions.

This moment would have been a defining test for Mace, and we’ll examine how he might have explained his actions and navigated the fallout.

Mace Windu’s Defense: Palpatine’s Crimes Speak for Themselves

If things had gone differently in Revenge of the Sith—if Mace Windu had killed Palpatine instead of being betrayed by Anakin—Windu would have faced a massive challenge explaining his actions to both the Jedi Council and the Galactic Republic.

First, let’s not forget that when Mace Windu and the other Jedi Masters entered Palpatine’s office, their initial goal wasn’t to kill him but to arrest him. 

Windu even made his intentions clear: “In the name of the Galactic Senate of the Republic, you are under arrest, Chancellor.”

But Palpatine, knowing his plans to rule the galaxy would collapse if he were captured, decided to fight back.

He ignited his red lightsaber and took down three Jedi Masters in seconds. The only one left standing was Mace Windu. 

Now, if Anakin had let Mace go through with his decision and kill Palpatine, the aftermath would have been chaos.

Mace would’ve had to justify his actions—not just to the Jedi Council, but to the Senate and the public. 

Killing the Supreme Chancellor, even one exposed as a Sith Lord, would undoubtedly look like an assassination or even a Jedi-led coup. 

Mace would likely face arrest, as his actions could be seen as stepping beyond the bounds of the Jedi Order’s authority.

During Ahsoka Tano’s trial, it was Anakin Skywalker who worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and clear her name. Similarly, in Windu’s case, Anakin might have taken on the role of investigator, helping the Jedi Order gather evidence to justify Windu’s actions. 

Anakin’s efforts could have focused on uncovering Palpatine’s crimes, including orchestrating the Clone Wars and creating the Separatists.

A key detail working in Windu’s favor is that Palpatine initiated the fight, killing three Jedi Masters in front of him. 

The Jedi Order would almost certainly have launched an investigation into Palpatine’s manipulation of both sides of the war and his identity as a Sith Lord. 

Presenting this evidence to the Republic could sway public opinion and ultimately clear Windu’s name.

Security Cameras Could Exonerate Windu

If Mace Windu had survived his encounter with Palpatine, proving his actions were justified might not have been as difficult as it first seems. 

There’s one simple but often overlooked detail: the security cameras in Palpatine’s office.

We know these cameras exist because, later in Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi watches a holographic recording of Anakin receiving the name Darth Vader from Palpatine. 

If those cameras captured that moment, there’s no reason to believe they didn’t record the earlier confrontation between Mace Windu, the other Jedi Masters, and Palpatine.

This recording would be invaluable evidence. 

It would show Palpatine drawing his lightsaber first, killing three Jedi Masters in cold blood, and openly revealing himself as a Sith Lord. 

Such proof could help the Jedi Order present an irrefutable case to the Senate and the public, exposing Palpatine’s true nature and justifying Windu’s actions as self-defense and a necessary step to stop a greater evil.

With that kind of evidence in hand, the Jedi would have a much stronger chance of avoiding accusations of a coup and rallying the Republic against Palpatine’s manipulation.

Dave Filoni Shares Insights on Windu’s Resolve Against Palpatine

Dave Filoni offers an intriguing theory about Mace Windu’s mindset during his fateful confrontation with Palpatine.

According to Filoni, Windu would have fully anticipated the possibility of being arrested or vilified for killing the Supreme Chancellor.

But as a Jedi, his duty to act selflessly for the greater good of the galaxy outweighed any concern for his personal fate. 

Whether that meant imprisonment, execution, or being labeled a traitor, it didn’t matter to Mace. 

His focus was solely on eliminating the Sith, believing that extinguishing Palpatine’s evil was worth any price—even his own freedom or life.