Colin Powell – latest: Fox News under fire for coverage as tributes paid to first Black secretary of state
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Colin Powell, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first Black US Secretary of State has died following complications from Covid-19.
The 84-year-old served in numerous Republican administrations, helping to shape American foreign policy for decades.
“General Colin L Powell, former US Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” the Powell family wrote in a statement on Facebook.
“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” they added.
The family said that Gen Powell was fully vaccinated.
He served in combat during the Vietnam War and later became the first Black national security adviser in the administration of President Ronald Reagan. When Mr Reagan’s Vice President George HW Bush took over, Gen Powell became the youngest and first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Gen Powell would later say that pushing faulty intelligence at the United Nations to advocate for the Iraq War as George W Bush’s Secretary of State was a “blot” on his record.
Infectious disease expert: Powell was ‘elderly and immunocompromised'
Infectious disease expert Céline Gounder noted on Twitter that while Gen Powell was fully vaccinated against Covid-19, his age and cancer diagnosis probably contributed to his death from complications from the virus.
“Yes, he was fully vaccinated, but he was also elderly and immunocompromised,” she wrote.
“More importantly, we should remember him for his service to the nation and to global public health,” she added. “Secretary of State Colin Powell warned that another pandemic, HIV/AIDS, posed ‘a clear and present danger to the world’. He said the health of Africa was a security issue.”
Former Vice President Dick Cheney praises Powell in statement
Dick Cheney, who served as President George W Bush’s second in command, issued a statement praising Secretary Powell.
“I’m deeply saddened to learn that America has lost a leader and statesman,” Mr Cheney said. “General Powell had a remarkably distinguished career, and I was fortunate to work with him. He was a man who loved his country and served her long and well.”
Mr Cheney cited their work together during the Gulf War, but failed to mention the war in Iraq.
“Colin was a trailblazer and role model for so many: the son of immigrants who rose to become National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Secretary of State,” Mr Cheney said. “His legacy and unparalleled record of service will never be forgotten.”
Secretary of Defence Austin: ‘I lost a tremendous personal friend and mentor'
Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has said that he “lost a tremendous personal friend and mentor” following the passing of Secretary Powell.
“The world lost one of the greatest leaders that we have ever witnessed. Alma lost a great husband, and the family lost a tremendous father,” Mr Austin told reporters in Georgia, in eastern Europe.
“And I lost a tremendous personal friend and mentor. He has been my mentor for a number of years. He always made time for me, and I could always go to him with tough issues. He always had great counsel. We will certainly miss him,” he added. “I feel as if I have a hole in my heart just learning of this.”
Mr Austin is the first Black man to lead the Department of Defence and Gen Powell was the first Black man to serve as US secretary of state and as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.
“Quite frankly, it is not possible to replace a Colin Powell,” Mr Austin said. “We will miss him.”
Rev Al Sharpton: ‘Though we disagreed on many issues, I always respected’ Secretary Powell
Civil rights activist and talk show host The Reverend Al Sharpton wrote on Twitter that Secretary Powell was “a sincere and committed man to what he believed in”.
VIDEO: President George HW Bush awards Secretary Powell the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991
Fox News host uses death of Colin Powell to launch an anti-vaccine rant
Fox News host Will Cain used the death of Colin Powell to launch an anti-vaccine rant.
“This day will be a day for many things,” Mr Cain said around an hour after the announcement of Secretary Powell’s death. “It’s also a day to remember the implications on everyday Americans.”
Mr Cain noted that the statement from the Powell family said that the General had died from complications from Covid-19 despite being fully vaccinated.
“The family has made a point on their post on Facebook this morning that Colin Powell was fully vaccinated,” Mr Cain said. “And as Americans out there wonder what lies ahead for them and they search and they need truth moving forward, we’re seeing data from across the world. We’re seeing data from Europe, from the United Kingdom, the fully-vaccinated people are being hospitalized and fully-vaccinated are dying from Covid.” “And here we have a very high-profile example that is going to require more truth, more truth from our government, from our health leaders as well,” he added. “As we talk about this story on a day when state after state and institution after institution are pushing mandates for vaccination.”
NBC News reported that Secretary Powell was also suffering from multiple myeloma – a blood cancer that harms the body’s ability to fight infections.
A study from the CDC released in September found that unvaccinated adults are 11 times more likely to die of Covid-19 than those who have been vaccinated.
Former Republican presidential nominee: ‘Today, the nation lost a man of undaunted courage’
The 2012 Republican nominee and current Senator from Utah, Mitt Romney, tweeted on Monday that Secretary Powell was “a statesman and trailblazer, devoted to America and the cause of liberty”.
Trump impeachment witness praises Powell: ‘The epitome of a soldier-statesman'
One of the most high profile witnesses from former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, retired Lieutenant Colonel and the former Director for European Affairs for the US National Security Council, Alexander Vindman, tweeted that Secretary Powell “was a patriot committed to public service and doing his very best to advance US interests”.
DNC Chair: Powell ‘inspired me and showed that there are no limits to what we can be or achieve'
The chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Jaime Harrison, paid tribute to Secretary Powell following the news of his death.
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