What is the process of accusing government officials of misconduct in office known as?

The correct term for the process of accusing government officials of misconduct in office is "impeach." Impeachment serves as a crucial check on government officials, primarily for those in high office like the President, judges, and other federal officials. It involves bringing formal charges against them for alleged misconduct, which could include abuse of power, corruption, or other significant violations of duty.

The impeachment process typically requires a legislative body to conduct inquiries, deliberate, and ultimately vote on whether to proceed with charges. If the official is impeached, it does not automatically mean they are removed from office; rather, it initiates a trial process that may lead to their removal depending on the outcome.

Dismissal, prosecution, and resignation pertain to different processes and actions related to government officials but do not specifically capture the formal nature and purpose of impeachment. Dismissal usually refers to an authority's decision to terminate someone’s employment, prosecution is tied to legal proceedings against a person for committing a crime, and resignation indicates a voluntary departure from one’s position. Therefore, "impeach" accurately reflects the process of formally charging and holding government officials accountable for their actions in office.