Who has the power to impeach federal officials?

The power to impeach federal officials is vested in the House of Representatives. This process is a crucial part of the system of checks and balances designed by the U.S. Constitution, which allows Congress to hold federal officials accountable for misconduct or violations of law while in office.

Impeachment itself is a formal charge or accusation and does not equate to removal from office; that follows a separate process. Once the House approves articles of impeachment by a simple majority vote, the process moves to the Senate, which conducts a trial to determine whether the official should be removed from office.

This structure ensures that federal officials, including the president, must answer to the legislative branch for their actions, highlighting the importance of maintaining accountability within government. Other branches, such as the Supreme Court and the President, do not possess the power to impeach, making the House’s unique role essential in the impeachment process.