Which statement about impeachment is true?

Which statement about impeachment is true?

• A. The Senate impeaches and the House conducts the trial
• B. The President conducts the trial
• C. Impeachment cannot occur for federal officials
• D. The House impeaches and the Senate conducts the trial

Answer: (D)

Impeachment is a two-step process with a clear division of roles. The House of Representatives brings formal charges against a federal official by a simple majority, effectively initiating impeachment. The Senate then holds the trial and votes on conviction, with a two-thirds majority needed to convict. If convicted, the official is removed from office and may be barred from future office. For presidential impeachments, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the Senate trial. This division—the House initiating the impeachment and the Senate conducting the trial—is the accurate description. The other statements misstate who performs impeachment or the scope of impeachment, or wrongly claim it can’t apply to federal officials.

Impeachment is a two-step process with a clear division of roles. The House of Representatives brings formal charges against a federal official by a simple majority, effectively initiating impeachment. The Senate then holds the trial and votes on conviction, with a two-thirds majority needed to convict. If convicted, the official is removed from office and may be barred from future office. For presidential impeachments, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the Senate trial. This division—the House initiating the impeachment and the Senate conducting the trial—is the accurate description. The other statements misstate who performs impeachment or the scope of impeachment, or wrongly claim it can’t apply to federal officials.