What is impeachment?

What is impeachment?

• A. The Process by Which a Federal Official Can Be Charged with Misconduct; the House Brings Charges, the Senate Conducts the Trial and Can Remove
• B. The Formal Process of Amending the Constitution
• C. The Method by Which a Federal Court Frees Assets
• D. The Procedure Used to Appoint Cabinet Members

Answer: (A)

Impeachment is the process by which a federal official can be charged with misconduct; the House brings charges, and the Senate conducts the trial and can remove the official from office. Think of the House as the charging stage and the Senate as the trial. A conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote in the Senate, making this a constitutional remedy for serious misconduct in office. It’s a political process, not a normal criminal prosecution in a court, and it specifically targets officials while serving in federal roles. This isn’t about amending the Constitution, freeing assets, or appointing cabinet members—it’s about holding federal officials accountable for their conduct.

Impeachment is the process by which a federal official can be charged with misconduct; the House brings charges, and the Senate conducts the trial and can remove the official from office. Think of the House as the charging stage and the Senate as the trial. A conviction and removal require a two-thirds vote in the Senate, making this a constitutional remedy for serious misconduct in office. It’s a political process, not a normal criminal prosecution in a court, and it specifically targets officials while serving in federal roles. This isn’t about amending the Constitution, freeing assets, or appointing cabinet members—it’s about holding federal officials accountable for their conduct.