Answer:
The process of impeachment acts as a check and balance for the executive branch, or the President of the United States (POTUS). The Executive Branch is being checked by the other two branches, the Legislative Branch, or Congress, and the Judicial Branch, or the Supreme Court. The principle of checks and balances are important to ensure that 1) no government branch can become too powerful, and 2) to make sure that work is evenly distributed and that not one branch has to carry all the weight.
How each branch checks each other:
Legislative Branch Powers & Weakness:
The Legislative Branch can create and pass or deny bills.
The Legislative Branch can override the President's veto.
- The Legislative Branch's laws can be declared unconstitutional.
- They may not agree and may not be able to pass a bill.
- The president may veto their bill.
Executive Branch Powers & Weakness:
The Executive Branch can pass or veto bills.
The Executive Branch has Executive Powers, which can bypass Judicial & Legislative powers.
- The Executive Branch can be impeached by the Legislative Branch & Judicial Branch.
- The Executive Branch can be replaced by the people.
Judicial Branch Powers & Weakness:
The Judicial Branch can declare laws constitutional or unconstitutional.
The Judicial Branch is able to interpret the laws that are passed.
The Judicial Branch is life-long, and can only be replaced by death or impeachment.
- The Judicial Branch can only be selected by the President.
- The Judicial Branch does not have a voice until needed.
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