Who has the power to initiate impeachment proceedings?

The House of Representatives holds the exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings. This authority is outlined in the U.S. Constitution, specifically in Article I, Section 2, which grants the House the right to impeach federal officials, including the President. The process begins when members of the House bring forward articles of impeachment, which are formal charges.

The significance of this power lies in the fact that it enables the House to act as the first step in holding officials accountable for misconduct. Following the House's actions, the Senate is then responsible for conducting the trial to determine whether to convict and remove the official from office. Since this process is distinctly a function of the legislative branch, the other options do not possess the authority to initiate impeachment: the Senate can only act as the arbiter in the trial phase, the Supreme Court does not have the Constitutional role in impeachment, and the President cannot initiate, as the impeachment process is a check intended to restrain presidential power, not empower it.