Reactions to the dying of former President Jimmy Carter paid tribute to his service to the nation and his contributions all over the world after his time within the White Home.
President Joe Biden on Sunday issued a proclamation on Carter’s dying, ordering American flags to be flown at half-mast for 30 days. He additionally marked Jan. 9, 2025, as a Nationwide Day of Mourning.
The flag over the White Home flies at half-staff after former President Jimmy Carter died on the age of 100-years-old in Washington, Dec. 29, 2024.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Earlier within the night, he made a televised look from St. Croix, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands the place he and his household have been spending the vacations, to recollect the achieved man each politically and personally, noting, “Jill and I misplaced a pricey buddy.”
Nevertheless, he added, what he discovered most extraordinary about Carter was the truth that thousands and thousands of individuals all over the world at present shared that feeling — whether or not they’d met him or not.
“Most cancers was a typical bond between our two households,” Biden confided, and he mentioned that they’d shared the assumption that America has “the expertise and the assets to in the future finish most cancers as we all know it if we make the investments.”
Biden praised the famend humanitarian for being a person of each phrase and deed, suggesting, “We should always all do nicely to be a bit extra like Jimmy Carter.”
On behalf of the nation, to Carter’s household, he mentioned, “We ship our complete heartfelt sympathies, in gratitude” for that lifetime of service — each within the Oval Workplace and within the many years past.
In closing, Biden famous, of Carter being laid to relaxation: “I feel he is pleased, and he is proud of Rosie” — referencing Carter’s beloved late spouse Rosalynn Carter, who died one 12 months prior in November 2023.
He had beforehand launched an announcement calling Carter “a person of nice character and braveness, hope and optimism.”
“Along with his compassion and ethical readability, he labored to eradicate illness, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and truthful elections, home the homeless, and all the time advocate for the least amongst us,” Biden’s assertion mentioned. “He saved, lifted, and adjusted the lives of individuals all throughout the globe.”
Vice President Kamala Harris mourned Carter’s passing on Sunday, saying in an announcement that the previous president, “was guided by a deep and abiding religion — in God, in America, and in humanity.”
“I had the privilege of understanding President Carter for years. I’ll all the time keep in mind his kindness, knowledge, and profound grace. His life and legacy proceed to encourage me — and can encourage generations to come back. Our world is a greater place due to President Carter,” Harris added.
In an announcement posted to X, Secretary of State Antony Blinken remembered former President Jimmy Carter for demonstrating “what could possibly be achieved by tireless diplomacy and dedication to the pursuit of peace, democracy, and human rights.”
Itemizing Carter’s overseas coverage achievements, Blinken included “negotiating the return of the Panama Canal to its host nation” and “growing arms management agreements with the Soviet Union.”
In the meantime, Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin wrote in an announcement that “People will keep in mind President Carter for his management in workplace and his distinguished post-presidency, however the Division additionally honors his sterling service in uniform.”
Austin mentioned, “We additionally honor President Carter for his contributions to world safety. The Carter Doctrine nonetheless helps undergird our dedication to stability and safety within the Gulf.”
He added, on a private observe, “Charlene and I ship our deepest condolences to the Carter household.”
As Biden talked about in his televised tribute, many political leaders had shut private ties and friendships with the previous president, and their remembrances have been usually heartfelt — whilst they acknowledged Carter’s many efforts to decentralize himself and put different folks and good work first.
Former President Invoice Clinton mentioned in a statement on X that he and his spouse Hillary Clinton “mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and provides thanks for his lengthy, good life.” He additionally wrote, “Guided by his religion, President Carter lived to serve others—till the very finish.”
Vice President Mike Pence, Karen Pence, former Vice President Dan Quayle, Marilyn Quayle, former Vice President Dick Cheney, Lynne Chaney, former Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden, former Vice President Al Gore, President Donald Trump, first woman Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Invoice Clinton, Hillary Clinton, former Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter attend the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush on the Nationwide Cathedral December 05, 2018 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Pictures
President-elect Donald Trump wrote of Carter on Truth Social, “The challenges Jimmy confronted as President got here at a pivotal time for our nation and he did all the things in his energy to enhance the lives of all People. For that, all of us owe him a debt of gratitude.”
In his statement, former President Barack Obama paid tribute to the previous president’s honesty, particularly within the wake of Watergate saying in an announcement that Carter “promised voters that he would all the time inform the reality. And he did – advocating for the general public good, penalties be damned. He believed some issues have been extra necessary than reelection – issues like integrity, respect, and compassion. As a result of Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed something, that we’re all created in God’s picture.”
Home Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi additionally acknowledged the occasions through which Carter was elected to the White Home, in an announcement to ABC Information:
“As President, his work to revive integrity to the political enviornment throughout a troublesome chapter in our historical past was a testomony to his agency religion within the sanctity of the general public good, which he all the time positioned above his personal,” she mentioned in an announcement. “After leaving the White Home, he carried on his service — main maybe probably the most impactful post-presidency in historical past.”
Former President George W. Bush posted on X, calling Carter “a person of deeply held convictions. He was loyal to his household, his group, and his nation. President Carter dignified the workplace. And his efforts to depart behind a greater world did not finish with the presidency. His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Middle set an instance of service that may encourage People for generations.”
Senate Minority Chief Mitch McConnell’s statement mentioned, “President Carter lived a really American dream. A devoutly non secular peanut farmer from small-town Georgia volunteered to serve his nation in uniform. He discovered himself manning cutting-edge submarines a whole lot of toes beneath the ocean. He returned house and saved the household farm earlier than feeling drawn to a distinct form of public service. And fewer than 15 years after his first marketing campaign for the state Senate, his fellow People elected him chief of the free world.”
Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer launched an announcement calling Carter “one among our most humble and devoted public servants.”
“President Carter personified the true which means of management by service, by compassion, and thru integrity,” Schumer mentioned in an announcement.
President George W. Bush welcomes former U.S. President’s, George H.W. Bush, Invoice Clinton and Jimmy Carter and President-elect Barack Obama to the Oval Workplace on the White Home in Washington, Jan. 7, 2009 .
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries referred to as him a “nice man, position mannequin and humanitarian” and said in a statement that “his unimaginable life, legacy and management are a testomony to the facility of the American dream.”
Home Majority Chief Steve Scalise mentioned in an announcement that Carter “set the usual for post-presidential service by his work with Habitat for Humanity.”
The Clintons’ statement summarized Carter’s influence:
“From his dedication to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to guard our pure assets within the Arctic Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, make power conservation a nationwide precedence, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and safe peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-Presidential efforts on the Carter Middle supporting trustworthy elections, advancing peace, combating illness, and selling democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and arduous work at Habitat for Humanity–he labored tirelessly for a greater, fairer world.”
Former Vice President Al Gore mentioned on Sunday that Carter had “lived a life stuffed with objective, humility, and kindness” and that “he led with coronary heart, religion in God, and braveness.”
“He had an unyielding dedication to constructing a extra peaceable, safer, and extra simply world and a cleaner surroundings,” Gore mentioned in a statement posted on social media. “He’s additionally remembered all over the world for the work he did over the 42 years after he left workplace.”
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice mentioned in a statement that Carter was a “good and first rate man” who “represented the guts of this nation.” And Former Legal professional Normal Eric Holder mentioned Carter “constantly confirmed that he was the perfect of us.”
Former President Jimmy Carter, proper, and former first woman Rosalynn Carter assist construct a Habitat for Humanity home in Violet, Louisiana, on Could 21, 2007.
Alex Brandon/AP
“Historical past will look fondly on his many achievements, from the creation of the Division of Schooling to the Camp David Accords to his prescient give attention to local weather issues,” Holder mentioned in a statement posted on X. “He’s a President whose accomplishments can be seen for his or her true significance and lasting worth within the years to come back.”
Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic Nationwide Committee, praised Carter for “main by instance” throughout his presidency and through his time as governor of Georgia, the place he enacted environmental insurance policies “and stood up for civil rights and desegregation” within the state.
“All through his presidency, he was guided by his religion, his selfless dedication to others, and his empathy,” Harrison mentioned in an announcement. “President Carter aspired to construct a authorities grounded in competence and compassion and depart behind a rustic the place desires are achievable, and hope is greater than an aspiration.”
