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Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has died from complications related to COVID-19 at the age of 84, his family announced on social media.
Powell was a veteran of the Vietnam War, served under both Democratic and Republican Presidents in various roles and was named the first Black secretary of state in the history of the United States by George W. Bush in 2001.
The news of Powell’s passing elicited reactions from U.S. politicians on both sides of the aisle.
George W. Bush said in a statement that he and his wife were “deeply saddened” by Powell’s passing.
Former Democratic President Jimmy Carter on Monday called Colin Powell “a true patriot and public servant” in a statement released by the Carter Center.
Top Republicans, including the longest serving member in the U.S. Senate Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and House Minority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, offered their condolences to the Powell family.
Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Jaime Harrison also gave his thoughts to the family of Powell.
As did Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams.
Powell was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but was immunocompromised due to a multiple myeloma diagnosis, a type of blood cancer that can damage the immune system, making it harder to fight off infections, according to NBC News.
