Which group has the authority to impeach federal officials?

Which group has the authority to impeach federal officials?

• A. The House of Representatives
• B. The Senate
• C. The Supreme Court
• D. The President

Answer: (A)

The House of Representatives possesses the authority to impeach federal officials. This process is outlined in the Constitution, specifically in Article I, Section 2, which grants the House the sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings against officials, including the President, Vice President, and other civil officers of the United States. The impeachment process itself serves as a mechanism to hold officials accountable for "high crimes and misdemeanors," ensuring that no one is above the law. Once the House approves articles of impeachment by a simple majority vote, the matter is then forwarded to the Senate for trial, where the Senate has the power to convict and remove the official from office. The other options involve branches of government that play different roles. The Senate's responsibility is to conduct the trial after impeachment by the House, while the Supreme Court interprets laws and ensures justice but does not participate in the impeachment process. The President has no role in impeachment proceedings, as they are the subject of potential impeachment rather than a participant in the process.

The House of Representatives possesses the authority to impeach federal officials. This process is outlined in the Constitution, specifically in Article I, Section 2, which grants the House the sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings against officials, including the President, Vice President, and other civil officers of the United States.

The impeachment process itself serves as a mechanism to hold officials accountable for "high crimes and misdemeanors," ensuring that no one is above the law. Once the House approves articles of impeachment by a simple majority vote, the matter is then forwarded to the Senate for trial, where the Senate has the power to convict and remove the official from office.

The other options involve branches of government that play different roles. The Senate's responsibility is to conduct the trial after impeachment by the House, while the Supreme Court interprets laws and ensures justice but does not participate in the impeachment process. The President has no role in impeachment proceedings, as they are the subject of potential impeachment rather than a participant in the process.