What is the role of the Senate in impeachment?

The role of the Senate in impeachment is to conduct the trial and vote on whether to convict or acquit the President. This process follows the House of Representatives' decision to impeach. When the House approves articles of impeachment, these are then passed to the Senate, which assumes the responsibility of holding a trial. During this trial, Senators act as jurors, hearing the evidence presented by both sides—typically the House managers who serve as prosecutors and the President's defense team.

Following the trial, the Senate votes on whether to convict the official or to acquit them. A two-thirds majority is required in the Senate for conviction, which means that it's crucial for the Senators to weigh the evidence and arguments carefully before reaching a decision. This role underscores the Senate's function as a check on the power of the presidency, ensuring that any serious charges leading to removal from office are assessed fairly and carefully. The other roles mentioned in the other choices, such as initiating the process or approving articles, do not align with the defined responsibilities of the Senate in the impeachment process.