After the Carter Center reported that the 39th president of the United States had passed away on Sunday, former presidents, members of Congress, and other American leaders from a variety of political backgrounds started paying tribute to former President Jimmy Carter.
Politicians praised Carter on his lifetime of service, citing his volunteer and humanitarian efforts as well as his support of international peace. Many leaders echoed the opinion that the nation and the world benefited from the late president’s leadership as they reflected on their friendships and collaborations with him.
In a statement, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden referred to Carter as a close friend and said that the world had lost a remarkable statesman, humanitarian, and leader.
“He worked to eradicate disease, create peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us,” the Bidens said, citing his compassion and moral clarity. People all throughout the world were saved, uplifted, and had their lives altered by him.
Carter did everything he could to make life better for all Americans, according to President-elect Donald Trump on Truth Social. We all owe him a debt of appreciation for that.
But only this month, Trump attacked Carter for his actions over the Panama Canal. On the 2024 campaign route, he also made fun of Carter.
Carter’s post-presidency was the longest and most significant in American history, according to former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Jimmy Carter, who was elected in the wake of Watergate, assured people that he would always speak the truth. The Obamas declared in a statement that he did this while promoting the general welfare, consequences be damned. He thought that some qualities, such as compassion, integrity, and respect, were more significant than winning reelection.
In a joint statement, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reflected on their friendship with Carter, stating that they were proud early backers of his presidential campaign.
Bill Clinton declared, “I will always be proud to have worked with him in the years after he left the White House and to have given him and Rosalynn the Medal of Freedom in 1999.”
George W. Bush, the former president, described Carter as a man with strong beliefs.
He declared in a statement that he was devoted to his family, his community, and his nation. The office was made dignified by President Carter.
Carter stated that he hoped to live long enough to cast his ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election when he reached 100 this year.
In a post on X, Harris expressed his sorrow for Carter, stating that “his life and legacy continue to inspire me and will inspire generations to come.”
“I was fortunate enough to know President Carter for many years. In a longer statement, Harris continued, “I will never forget his kindness, wisdom, and profound grace.” “Our world is a better place because of President Carter.”
‘A model of service’
Statements praising Carter’s life and influence were also issued by the leading Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
According to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., President Carter left a lasting legacy of faith in the American people and the power of kindness and humility. He showed us that a leader’s strength is found in action rather than words, in serving others rather than pursuing personal benefit.
Mitch McConnell, the outgoing Senate Minority Leader from Kentucky, stated that Carter’s dedication and character were the results of all-American soil, much like his crops.
Every time life took him to a high-level position far from home, he returned home with the resolve to use his special experiences and influence to help others, build, teach, and volunteer, and to further enrich the same fertile ground that had allowed him to live his own life, McConnell said.
On X, members of both parties’ House leadership paid tribute to Carter’s life and contributions. While his deputy, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., commended President Carter’s career of service, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement that no one could dispute that Carter had an extraordinary life of service to his country.
“Cartera is a great man, a great humanitarian, and a great role model,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. On X, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, wrote that Carter “embodied dignity and decency, grace and goodness” and described his life as “saintly in its devotion to public service and peace.”
“As President, his work to restore integrity to the political arena during a difficult chapter in our history was a testament to his firm faith in the sanctity of the public good, which he always placed above his own,” Pelosi added. “After leaving the White House, he carried on his service leading perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.”
Soon after, other politicians started paying tribute to him on social media.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in a statement that President Carter, like many members of the Greatest Generation, will be remembered for what he created and left for us: a more peaceful world to live in, a model of service late in life, and an unwavering commitment to family and philanthropy.
On X, Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., stated that Carter provided us with a timeless and unadulterated model of a public servant.
As we commemorate his life and his tireless, selfless work to help others, I’m sending love to the Carter family today, he continued.
‘Serving his fellow man’
Both sides of the political spectrum continued to offer condolences, with Republicans also paying tribute to Democrat Carter.
According to Senator Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, Carter dedicated his life to helping people.
He asked everyone to join Ann and me in praying for the Carter family, their friends, and everyone who worked with the former president.
Following his presidency, Carter’s efforts on social justice and human rights received widespread recognition. According to the group’s website, he formed the Carter Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting human rights and reducing suffering from all causes.
Carter also assisted in the construction of homes for those in need by working with the charitable group Habitat for Humanity.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, stated on X that Carter’s post-presidency, which he devoted to assisting his fellow citizens, was even more historic than his time in the White House. From providing housing for thousands of families to Sunday school for the children of his community, he will remain distinguished among America s leaders for his great humanitarian accomplishments and deep commitment to his Christian faith. In response to his passing, a number of lawmakers also cited Carter’s faith. Until the epidemic, Carter was a Sunday school teacher in Plains, Georgia, his hometown.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, stated in a typical brief post on X that although we were bitten by different political bugs, we have a much in common, including a love for the Lord.
Born in 1924 in Plains, Georgia, Carter had been in hospice care for the past 100 years.
Republican Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia said Carter demonstrated to the world the influence our state and its citizens had on the nation.
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.,posted a pictureof himself and the late president and first lady to X, writing that Carter “was one of my heroes, the embodiment of faith coming alive through the noble work of public service.”
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., said in a statement that the State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of President Jimmy Carter.
Ossoff went on, “I join all Georgians and all Americans in mourning his loss.” May the memories of Jimmy Carter bring you blessings.
Biden praised Carter, who he called a dear friend, for his decency and character duringremarksSunday night.
Millions of people all around the world, all over the world, feel they lost a friend as well, even though they never met him. That s because Jimmy Carter lived a life measured not by words, but by his deeds, Biden said.
Biden, whose son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015, remembered Carter s battle with cancer, which he called a bond between the two leader s families.
Jimmy Carter was just as courageous in his battle against cancer as he was in everything in his life, Biden said.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!