Biden marks Jimmy Carter's death with National Day of Mourning, amid sweeping tributes
Reactions to the death of former President Jimmy Carter paid tribute to his service to the country and his contributions around the world after his time in the White House.
President Joe Biden on Sunday issued a proclamation on Carter's death, ordering American flags to be flown at half-mast for 30 days. He also marked Jan. 9, 2025, as a National Day of Mourning.
Earlier in the evening, he made a televised appearance from St. Croix, a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands where he and his family were spending the holidays, to remember the accomplished man both politically and personally, noting, "Jill and I lost a dear friend."
However, he added, what he found most extraordinary about Carter was the fact that millions of people around the world currently shared that feeling – whether they'd met him or not.
"Cancer was a common bond between our two families," Biden confided, and he said that they had shared the belief that America has "the talent and the resources to one day end cancer as we know it if we make the investments."
Biden praised the renowned humanitarian for being a man of both word and deed, suggesting, "We should all do well to be a bit more like Jimmy Carter."
On behalf of the nation, to Carter's family, he said, "We send our whole heartfelt sympathies, in gratitude" for that life of service – both in the Oval Office and in the decades beyond.
In closing, Biden noted, of Carter being laid to rest: "I think he's happy, and he's happy with Rosie" – referencing Carter's beloved late wife Rosalynn Carter, who died one year prior in November 2023.
He had previously released a statement calling Carter "a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism."
"With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us," Biden's statement said. "He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe."
Vice President Kamala Harris mourned Carter's passing on Sunday, saying in a statement that the former president, "was guided by a deep and abiding faith – in God, in America, and in humanity."
"I had the privilege of knowing President Carter for years. I will always remember his kindness, wisdom, and profound grace. His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come. Our world is a better place because of President Carter," Harris added.
In a statement posted to X, Secretary of State Antony Blinken remembered former President Jimmy Carter for demonstrating “what could be achieved through tireless diplomacy and dedication to the pursuit of peace, democracy, and human rights.”
Listing Carter’s foreign policy achievements, Blinken included “negotiating the return of the Panama Canal to its host nation” and “developing arms control agreements with the Soviet Union.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote in a statement that "Americans will remember President Carter for his leadership in office and his distinguished post-presidency, but the Department also honors his sterling service in uniform."
Austin said, "We also honor President Carter for his contributions to global security. The Carter Doctrine still helps undergird our commitment to stability and security in the Gulf."
He added, on a personal note, "Charlene and I send our deepest condolences to the Carter family."
As Biden mentioned in his televised tribute, many political leaders had close personal ties and friendships with the former president, and their remembrances were often heartfelt – even as they recognized Carter's many efforts to decentralize himself and put other people and good work first.
Former President Bill Clinton said in a statement on X that he and his wife Hillary Clinton "mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life." He also wrote, "Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others—until the very end."
President-elect Donald Trump wrote of Carter on Truth Social, "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude."
In his statement, former President Barack Obama paid tribute to the former president's honesty, especially in the wake of Watergate saying in a statement that Carter "promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did – advocating for the public good, consequences be damned. He believed some things were more important than reelection – things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God's image."
House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi also recognized the times in which Carter was elected to the White House, in a statement to ABC News:
"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," she said in a statement. "After leaving the White House, he carried on his service — leading perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history."
Former President George W. Bush posted on X, calling Carter "a man of deeply held convictions. He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country. President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn't end with the presidency. His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's statement said, "President Carter lived a truly American dream. A devoutly religious peanut farmer from small-town Georgia volunteered to serve his country in uniform. He found himself manning cutting-edge submarines hundreds of feet beneath the ocean. He returned home and saved the family farm before feeling drawn to a different sort of public service. And less than 15 years after his first campaign for the state Senate, his fellow Americans elected him leader of the free world."
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement calling Carter "one of our most humble and devoted public servants."
"President Carter personified the true meaning of leadership through service, through compassion, and through integrity," Schumer said in a statement.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called him a "great man, role model and humanitarian" and said in a statement that "his incredible life, legacy and leadership are a testament to the power of the American dream."
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in a statement that Carter "set the standard for post-presidential service through his work with Habitat for Humanity."
The Clintons' statement summarized Carter's impact:
"From his commitment to civil rights as a state senator and governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-Presidential efforts at the Carter Center supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn's devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity–he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world."
Former Vice President Al Gore said on Sunday that Carter had "lived a life full of purpose, humility, and kindness" and that "he led with heart, faith in God, and courage."
"He had an unyielding commitment to building a more peaceful, safer, and more just world and a cleaner environment," Gore said in a statement posted on social media. "He is also remembered around the world for the work he did over the 42 years after he left office."
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement that Carter was a "good and decent man" who "represented the heart of this country." And Former Attorney General Eric Holder said Carter "consistently showed that he was the best of us."
"History will look fondly on his many achievements, from the creation of the Department of Education to the Camp David Accords to his prescient focus on climate concerns," Holder said in a statement posted on X. "He is a President whose accomplishments will be seen for their true significance and lasting value in the years to come."
Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, praised Carter for "leading by example" during his presidency and during his time as governor of Georgia, where he enacted environmental policies "and stood up for civil rights and desegregation" in the state.
"Throughout his presidency, he was guided by his faith, his selfless commitment to others, and his empathy," Harrison said in a statement. "President Carter aspired to build a government grounded in competence and compassion and leave behind a country where dreams are achievable, and hope is more than an aspiration."
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