US President Donald Trump's fate partly rests in the hands of a man who can trace his roots back to Co Down.
Mitch McConnell is leader of the Republicans in the US Senate and one of the most powerful figures in the party.
His ancestor James McConnell emigrated from Co Down in the 1760s aged five and later fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Records also show that two of Mr McConnell's ancestors were also owners.
The two great-great-grandfathers, James McConnell and Richard Daley, owned a total of at least 14 slaves in Limestone County, Alabama, according to the county's 'Slave Schedules' in the 1850 and 1860 censuses.
President Trump has been impeached for a second time for inciting riots which targeted the heart of government in Washington last week.
The House of Representatives voted for the impeachment but Mr Trump's Senate trial is unlikely to begin until after Joe Biden is inaugurated on January 20.
Mr McConnell has reportedly told his advisers he is pleased by the move and hopes it can help his party rid itself of Mr Trump.
However, his refusal to convene an emergency session of the Senate means that Mr Trump may see out his term in office.
The Kentucky Senator has already said: "Given the rules, procedures and Senate precedents that govern presidential impeachment trials, there is simply no chance that a fair or serious trial could conclude before President-elect Biden is sworn in next week".
