Which of the following bodies primarily handles the impeachment of federal officials?

The body that primarily handles the impeachment of federal officials is the House of Representatives. This procedure is rooted in the U.S. Constitution, which grants the House the exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings.

During this process, the House investigates allegations against federal officials, such as the President, judges, or other federal appointees. If a majority of House members vote in favor of impeachment, they effectively bring charges against the official. This is akin to an indictment in a criminal case. Once the House has impeached an official, the process then moves to the Senate, which is responsible for conducting the trial and ultimately deciding whether to remove the official from office.

The Senate plays a crucial role in the impeachment process, but its main function is to conduct the trial and vote on whether to convict and remove the official after the House has initiated the impeachment. The Supreme Court does not participate in the impeachment process but may interpret related constitutional issues if necessary. The executive branch also does not have a role in impeachment, as it is one of the checks on the power of the executive. Thus, the House of Representatives is the correct choice for the body that initiates and handles the impeachment process.