Report reveals many current U.S. leaders have slaveholding ancestors

Although America declared its independence in 1776, it would take nearly 90 years for those enslaved to obtain their freedom. And despite the abolishment of slavery 158 years ago, Reuters found some of the country’s most powerful politicians today are descendants of slaveholders. Amna Nawaz spoke with editor Tom Lasseter about the report and his own family’s history with slavery. Correction: The description of this segment has been updated to correct the spelling of Tom Lasseter’s last name. We regret the error. Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app:  Find more from PBS NewsHour at  Subscribe to our YouTube channel:  Follow us: Facebook:  Twitter:  Instagram:  Subscribe: PBS NewsHour podcasts:  Newsletters: