Colin Powell was a warrior: US politicians mourn former official’s demise

The death of former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell seemed to strike the current and former executive heads of the country as a flurry of statements recognising the diplomat’s achievements started to come in.

United States President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell were some of the executives and lawmakers who remembered Powell.

While recognising Powell’s work, Biden called him “warrior and diplomat”. In a statement released by the White House, he said, “Colin embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He was committed to our nation’s strength and security above all. Having fought in wars, he understood better than anyone that military might alone was not enough to maintain our peace and prosperity.”

Powell, who had advised four United States presidents throughout his political career in different capacities, was paid a heartfelt tribute by former President Obama, who referred to him as a “exemplary patriot and an exemplary soldier.”

Obama said in a statement, “General Powell helped a generation of young people set their sights higher. He never denied the role that race played in his own life and in our society more broadly. But he also refused to accept that race would limit his dreams, and through his steady and principled leadership, helped pave the way for so many who would follow.”

Vice President Harris joined the mourning of the former diplomat and said, “As National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State, he was an independent thinker and a barrier breaker who inspired leaders in our military and throughout our nation”, according to reports from CNN.

Hours after the demise of Powell, Biden released a presidential proclamation in which he ordered the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ to fly half-mast until sunset on Friday in recognition of Powell’s life and service.