Who has the sole power of impeachment according to the Constitution?

The correct answer reflects that the Constitution grants the House of Representatives the authority to initiate impeachment proceedings. According to Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, the House has the sole power of impeachment, meaning it is solely responsible for bringing charges against a federal official, including the President, for "high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Once the House votes to impeach, which is essentially a formal accusation, the process moves to the Senate, which then conducts a trial to determine whether to convict and remove the official from office.

The significance of this separation of powers is crucial in understanding the checks and balances within the federal government. It ensures that the legislative branch (the House) holds the power to initiate impeachment, while the judicial process of trial and judgment lies with the Senate. This reflects the Founding Fathers' intentions to prevent misuse of power and protect against potential abuses by any single branch of government. This system underscores the importance of legislative oversight over the executive in matters of accountability and governance.