General Discussion

A 2023 Reuters investigation identified that 119 of the United States' top political leaders—including five living presidents, 100 members of the last sitting Congress, two Supreme Court justices, and 11 governors—have ancestors who enslaved people.

Prominent Political Figures & Families (Recent & Historical)
Joe Biden: Descendant of slaveholders.
Barack Obama: Through his white mother's side, he is a descendant of slaveholders.
George W. Bush & Bill Clinton: Both are descendants of slaveholders.
Jimmy Carter: Descendant of slaveholders.
Mitch McConnell (Senator): Ancestors owned slaves.
Elizabeth Warren (Senator): Great-great-great-grandfather enslaved 14 people.
Lindsey Graham (Senator): Great-great-great-grandfather Joseph Maddox was a slaveholder.
Tammy Duckworth (Senator): Ancestor Henry Coe enslaved people.
Nancy Mace (Representative): Great-great-great-grandmother Drucilla Mace held slaves.
Amy Coney Barrett & Neil Gorsuch (Supreme Court Justices): Both have direct ancestors who enslaved people.

The study identified 100 members of the last Congress with such ties, including Rep. Julia Brownley, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. James Lankford, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, and Sen. Maggie Hassan.