Final answer:
Impeachment is a constitutional process to charge a U.S. government official, including the President, with 'high crimes and misdemeanors'. It involves an accusation by the House of Representatives followed by a trial in the Senate, where conviction requires a two-thirds vote for removing the individual from office.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impeachment is the term used to describe the process by which a government official, such as the President of the United States, is charged with serious wrongdoing. This process is a constitutional mechanism to ensure that no President can become tyrannical, serving as a check on power. This wrongdoing is referred to as 'high crimes and misdemeanors' in the U.S. Constitution.
The impeachment process involves a two-step procedure in Congress. Firstly, the House of Representatives holds the sole power to impeach the official by a simple majority vote, which is merely an accusation of misconduct. Secondly, a trial is conducted in the Senate, where the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides if the President is being tried. A two-thirds majority vote is required in the Senate for conviction and removal from office.
Importantly, Article I, Section 3, Clause 7 of the Constitution states that besides removal from office, the Senate may also disqualify convicted individuals from holding future federal offices. After removal, the convicted party is still liable to criminal or civil proceedings just like any other citizen.