Which branch of government has the power to conduct impeachment trials?

The legislative branch is the correct answer because it holds the authority to conduct impeachment trials as stipulated in the United States Constitution. Specifically, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach federal officials, including the President, while the Senate is responsible for conducting the trial to determine whether the official should be removed from office.

During this trial, the Senators serve as jurors, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over presidential impeachment trials. This framework ensures a system of checks and balances: the legislative branch can hold officials accountable for misconduct while the judiciary's role is limited to overseeing the trial process strictly regarding constitutional parameters.

The other branches of government, the executive and judicial, do not have roles in conducting impeachment trials. The executive branch may be the subject of impeachment, and the judicial branch can be involved in legal interpretations or disputes that arise from impeachment proceedings, but they are not empowered to conduct the trials themselves. Thus, understanding the specific roles assigned to each branch helps clarify the impeachment process and reinforces the principle of separation of powers.