Which phrase best describes the power of impeachment?

The phrase that best describes the power of impeachment is the ability of the U.S. House to charge federal officers with a crime. Impeachment is a constitutional process established primarily in the U.S. Constitution, allowing the House of Representatives to bring charges against an official, such as the President or other federal officers, for misconduct. This act serves as a form of legal indictment, beginning the impeachment process.

Following the House's decision to impeach, the case moves to the Senate, which conducts a trial to determine whether the official should be removed from office. This process underscores the system of checks and balances designed to hold federal officials accountable for abuses of power or other significant offenses while maintaining the integrity of governmental functions. The other choices, while related to aspects of governance or checks on power, do not accurately capture the specific role of impeachment as defined in the Constitution.