Which federal body has the exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings?

The House of Representatives holds the exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Specifically, Article I, Section 2 states that the House shall have the sole power of impeachment. This means that it is the responsibility of the members of the House to bring charges against federal officials, including the President, for misconduct. This process is essentially a form of indictment, wherein the House votes on whether to impeach, which then allows the case to move to the Senate for a trial.

The importance of this power is significant as it provides a check on the Executive Branch, ensuring that high-ranking officials are held accountable for their actions. The Senate, while responsible for conducting the trial and ultimately deciding whether to convict and remove an official from office, does not have the authority to initiate the impeachment process. The Supreme Court has no role in impeachment proceedings, as it is not involved in the legislative processes of the House or Senate. Similarly, the Executive Branch does not have the power to start or influence impeachment actions directly, as this would compromise the system of checks and balances integral to the functioning of the U.S. government.