What action is primarily intended to maintain a separation of powers in the U.S. government?

The principle of checks and balances is fundamentally designed to maintain a separation of powers among the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This system ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful by granting each branch specific authority to limit the powers of the others. For example, the legislative branch has the power to create laws, but the executive branch can veto those laws. Additionally, the judicial branch interprets laws and can rule them unconstitutional, effectively checking the power of both the legislative and executive branches. This interdependence and mutual oversight help protect democratic governance and uphold the rule of law, reinforcing the importance of each branch's unique powers while preventing any overreach.

In contrast, impeachment is a specific process for removing a president or other officials from office and serves as a tool within the checks and balances framework rather than a method for maintaining separation of powers outright. Votes of no confidence are typically found in parliamentary systems, not in the U.S. system of government. Political campaigning relates more to the electoral process than to the maintenance of separation among governmental powers. Therefore, checks and balances are the overarching principle that directly supports this foundational concept.