George W. Bush, Barack Obama, & More Mourn The Loss Of Colin Powell: ‘He Was A Great Public Servant’

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell died connected Monday greeting astatine 84, aft complications from COVID-19. Political figures connected some sides of the aisle paid tribute to the erstwhile general.

After quality broke that Colin Powell died from COVID-19 complications connected Monday October 18, galore influential governmental figures honored the erstwhile caput of state, who served during erstwhile President George W. Bush‘s administration. Aside from being a high-ranking cabinet-member during a important clip successful modern history, Powell was besides the archetypal African American caput of state. Both Democrats and Republicans offered condolences pursuing his passing.

Powell’s household announced his passing successful a Facebook post. “General Colin L. Powell, erstwhile U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed distant this greeting owed to complications from Covid 19. He was afloat vaccinated. We privation to convey the aesculapian unit astatine Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment. We person mislaid a singular and loving husband, father, gramps and a large American,” the household said.

Colin Powell died astatine 84-years-old On Monday. (Shutterstock)

As portion of erstwhile president’s cabinet, Bush wrote a tribute mourning Powell’s decease and offering condolences to his family, portion noting the galore precocious ranking positions helium held nether antithetic presidents. “Laura and I are profoundly saddened by the decease of Colin Powell. He was a large nationalist servant, starting with his clip arsenic a worker during Vietnam. Many Presidents relied connected General Powell’s counsel and experience,” the erstwhile president said successful a connection connected his presidential halfway website. “He was specified a favourite of Presidents that helium earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – twice. He was highly respected astatine location and abroad.  And astir important, Colin was a household antheral and a friend. Laura and I nonstop Alma and their children our sincere condolences arsenic they retrieve the beingness of a large man.”

Powell served arsenic caput of authorities during President President George W. Bush’s administration. (Shutterstock)

Bush wasn’t the lone erstwhile president to grant Powell. Jimmy Carter besides reflected connected the retired general’s accomplishments successful a statements. “A existent patriot and nationalist servant, we were honored to enactment beside him to fortify communities successful the United States, assistance resoluteness struggle successful Haiti, and observe elections successful Jamaica,” Carter said, via ABC News. “His courageousness and integrity volition beryllium an inspiration for generations to come.

Former president Barack Obama also offered condolences to Powell’s household successful a statement, wherever helium reflected connected the erstwhile caput of authorities and his impact. “He understood what was champion successful this country, and tried to bring his ain life, career, and nationalist statements successful enactment with that ideal. It’s why, for each the battles helium fought and problems helium solved, Michelle and I volition ever look to General Powell arsenic an illustration of what America – and Americans – tin and should beryllium if we privation to stay the last, champion anticipation of earth,” helium said successful part.

General Colin Powell understood what was champion successful this country, and tried to bring his ain life, career, and nationalist statements successful enactment with that ideal. Michelle and I volition ever look to him arsenic an illustration of what America—and Americans—can and should be. pic.twitter.com/vSxTbUE5aR

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 18, 2021

While Powell was a Republican for overmuch of his career, galore Democrats mourned his decease connected Twitter, among them was activistic and erstwhile Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. She wrote that Powell “led with integrity, admitted fallibility and defended democracy” successful a tweet. Other Democrats who paid tribute to the erstwhile JCS president included Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar. “Colin Powell ne'er discontinue serving erstwhile helium retired from the subject and government. He devoted truthful overmuch to our nation’s children with America’s Promise,” she wrote. New York Governor Kathy Hochul also shared benignant words astir Powell. “He was a trailblazer who embodied nationalist work and was driven by honoring American values, not governmental party,” she wrote.

Godspeed to Secretary Colin Powell who led with integrity, admitted fallibility and defended democracy. Deepest condolences to his loved ones and friends. https://t.co/PmPJFONRlV

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) October 18, 2021

Colin Powell ne'er discontinue serving erstwhile helium retired from the subject and government. He devoted truthful overmuch to our nation’s children with America’s Promise. Our prayers are with his woman Alma and their family. 🙏 https://t.co/Os30oB2uXI

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) October 18, 2021

Deeply saddened by the passing of erstwhile Secretary of State Colin Powell. He was a trailblazer who embodied nationalist work and was driven by honoring American values, not governmental party. Bill and I nonstop our condolences to his household during this hard time.

— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 18, 2021

Other than those who simply shared condolences, New York congressman Jamaal Bowman and DNC chair Jaime Harrison some noted however overmuch Powell motivated them erstwhile they were younger. “As a Black antheral conscionable trying to fig retired the world, Colin Powell was an inspiration. He was from NYC, went to City College, and roseate to the highest ranks of our nation,” Bowman tweeted. “Colin Powell was a statesman who enactment his state & household supra each else. As a young Black man, helium inspired maine & showed that determination are nary limits to what we tin beryllium oregon achieve,” Jaime wrote.

As a Black antheral conscionable trying to fig retired the world, Colin Powell was an inspiration. He was from NYC, went to City College, and roseate to the highest ranks of our nation. Sending love, spot and supplication to the household and friends of Secretary Powell. Rest successful powerfulness sir.

— Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) October 18, 2021

This is hitting maine hard. Colin Powell was a statesman who enactment his state & household supra each else. As a young Black man, helium inspired maine & showed that determination are nary limits to what we tin beryllium oregon achieve. Sending my prayers to his family. Rest In Peace Secty https://t.co/zFQb1YAKVU

— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@harrisonjaime) October 18, 2021

Naturally, determination were besides plentifulness of Republicans who besides praised Powell’s accomplishments. Utah Senator and erstwhile Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney wrote a almighty tribute to the erstwhile Secretary of State. “Today, the federation mislaid a antheral of undaunted courageousness and a champion of character. A statesman & trailblazer, devoted to America and the origin of liberty, Colin Powell’s bequest of work & grant volition agelong inspire,” helium said. Former New York City Mayor and lawyer for erstwhile President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani shared that he’d erstwhile asked Powell to tally for president successful the 1990s.

Today, the federation mislaid a antheral of undaunted courageousness and a champion of character. A statesman & trailblazer, devoted to America and the origin of liberty, Colin Powell’s bequest of work & grant volition agelong inspire. Ann & I connection our emotion & sincere condolences to Alma and his family.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) October 18, 2021

Colin Powell was a large American and a bully friend. I was 1 of a small, but determined group, that urged him to tally for President successful 1996. What if???

— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) October 18, 2021

Besides politicians, determination were plentifulness of different governmental figures who honored Powell pursuing the quality of his death. Reverend Al Sharpton wrote that portion the 2 “disagreed” often, helium ever r”espected” Powell. Colonel Alexander Vindman reflected connected his subject achievements. “Colin Powell was the epitome of a soldier-statesman. Agree with him oregon not, helium was a patriot committed to nationalist work and doing his precise champion to beforehand U.S. interests. He near an indelible people connected the U.S. Military and this nation. May his representation beryllium a blessing,” Vindman tweeted.