[Jim W N]

OK, we’re really beginning to split hairs here.

Impeachment means to formally charge with a crime or violation of public trust.

Articles of Impeachment is a formal document alleging the charges against a public official, similar to that of an indictment in a criminal proceeding.

https://thelawdictionary.org/impeach/

ONLY Congress has the power to impeach (”bring charges against”) an Officer of the United States.

You know, I think I’m done.

Thanks for the interesting discussion.

[Cboldt]

I don't think defining our respective views amounts to hair splitting. we have radically different views of the relationships between impeachment and criminal prosecution by the executive branch. We have a substantial (and probably irreconcilable) difference.

You agree that impeachment and indictment aren't the same thing. It's the basis for you finding that a superior Officer can't be indicted, and can only be impeached. Indictment is the "accusation power" of the executive; impeachment is the "accusation power" of the House.

We agree that only the House can impeach.

Our disagreements are over whether or not the executive can remove a superior officer, and whether or not the executive can investigate and indict a superior officer.

Another way to say that is that we disagree over whether the House and executive have concurrent powers of accusation against superior officers. You find that they do not, that the House power to impeach precludes the executive power to indict; and precludes the executive power to investigate crimes.

If impeachment and indictment were the same thing (that is, if the two terms were literally synonyms), then the executive could impeach, and the House could indict. Obviously that isn't the case, see constitution giving sole power of impeachment to the House, and the duty to faithfully execute the laws to the executive.