Members of the political world offered condolences and warm wishes for the family of former President Carter, who died Sunday afternoon. They honored Carter’s decades of achievement and service to the country.
Carter, who turned 100 earlier this year, died peacefully in Plains, Ga., according to the Carter Center.
President Biden and first lady Jill Biden released a statement, mourning Carter’s death and highlighting his lifetime of service as an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.”
“Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well,” the Bidens’ statement said.
The Bidens said they will miss both Carter and his late wife Rosalynn Carter dearly but take solace knowing they are reunited. Rosalynn Carter died in November 2023.
The Bidens shared gratitude for the Carter family and their staff.
“To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning — the good life — study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” their statement said. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people — decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”
President Biden said he will be ordering an official state funeral for Carter to be held in Washington, D.C.
President-elect Trump shared a message online to say he and his family were thinking of Carter’s family.
“I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter. Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History,” Trump said.
The president-elect said Carter’s presidency and the challenges he faced in office came at a “pivotal time for our country.” Carter did everything in his power to improve the lives of Americans, Trump said.
“For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude,” Trump posted.
Vice president-elect JD Vance (R-Ohio) reposted Trump’s message about Carter and shared his own thoughts in a post on the social platform X.
“Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to serving this country. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. May he Rest in Peace,” Vance said.
Vice President Kamala Harris celebrated Carter’s life of service and said he promoted “decency and compassion.”
“I had the privilege of knowing President Carter for years,” Harris said in a statement. “I will always remember his kindness, wisdom and profound grace.”
Harris said she and second gentleman Doug Emhoff send love and prayers to the Carter family. The world is a better place because of Carter, she said.
“His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come,” Harris said.
Former President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton shared a message online honoring Carter’s career as a state senator, governor of Georgia and the 39th president.
“Hillary and I met President Carter in 1975 and were proud, early supporters of his Presidential campaign,” former President Clinton said in a statement. “I will always be proud to have presented the Medal of Freedom to him and Rosalynn in 1999, and to have worked with him in the years after he left the White House.”
The Clintons said their prayers are with Carter’s family.
Former President Obama shared a statement online about Carter’s legacy. He said many people in Plains, Ga. would go to the Maranatha Baptist Church on Sunday morning to hear Carter speak, likely for his achievements in office and in his post-presidency.
“I’m willing to bet that many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency,” Obama said.
Obama highlighted Carter’s career and promise for public good, “consequences be damned.”
“He believed some things were more important than reelection – things like integrity, respect, and compassion,” Obama said, adding that Carter embodied those values and made the world a better place.
“Marantha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away – buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.”
Obama said he and former first lady Michelle Obama send their thoughts to Carter’s family and everyone who was touched by his legacy.
Former President George W. Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush send their heartfelt condolences to Carter’s family.
“James Earl Carter, Jr., was a man of deeply held convictions. He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country,” the Bushes’ statement said. “President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn’t end with his presidency.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) released a statement honoring Carter’s legacy. Carter served as the Peach State’s governor from 1971 to 1974.
“As the only American president thus far to come from Georgia, he showed the world the impact of our state and its people have on the country,” Kemp said. “And as a son of Plains, he always valued Georgians and the virtues of our state, choosing to return to his rural home after his time in public office.”
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) also offered his condolences, calling Carter a “true servant-leader” who promoted the best of America.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) released a statement mourning the loss of “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.
Schumer highlighted the decades of service that Carter and Rosalynn Carter dedicated to the country. He said it will leave a strong legacy and inspired millions of people toward justice.
“As we remember President Carter’s extraordinary life, we also honor the countless lives he touched through his vision and generosity,” Schumer said. “May his memory be a blessing and an enduring reminder of what it means to truly serve.”
Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) said Carter was one of his heroes.
“His leadership was driven by love, his life’s project grounded in compassion and a commitment to human dignity,” Warnock said in a statement.
Warnock said he developed a meaningful relationship with the Carters, calling the couple some of his “favorite people.” The Georgia senator said Carter was a “moral powerhouse” and democracies around the world are better off because of his long career.
Fellow Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) extended condolences to Carter’s family in a statement online. He highlighted the former president’s accomplishments, both in office and out of office.
“From Plains to across the State of Georgia, the United States, and around the world, millions will forever admire and appreciate all that President Carter did for the United States and for the global community,” Ossoff said. “The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of President Jimmy Carter.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) shared a message about Carter’s character, commitment and infamous peanut crops.
“Jimmy Carter’s character and commitment, just like his crops, were fruits of all-American soil. After every season when life led him to lofty service far from home, he came back home again, determined to plow his unique experiences and influence into helping others; into building and teaching and volunteering; into further enriching the same rich soil that had made his own life possible,” McConnell shared, per Fox News’s Chad Pergram on X.
Former Vice President Mike Pence (R) said Carter served the country through distinction.
“From his service in the @USNavy, as Governor of Georgia and as the 39th president of the United States, Jimmy Carter lived out his Christian faith and values with integrity and devotion,” Pence said.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the American people and Congress are thinking of the Carter family.
“President Carter’s story was one of humble beginnings, and his life is a testament to the boundless opportunities available in this great nation,” Johnson said in a statement. “Because of his work brokering the Camp David Accords and his advocacy with Habitat for Humanity, the world is a more peaceful place, and more Americans have a place to call home.”
Johnson said no one can deny that Carter led an “extraordinary life” of service to the country.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said with Carter’s death, the world has lost a leader that embodied “dignity and decency, grace and goodness.”
“At the heart of President Carter’s public service was his fervent commitment to honoring the spark of divinity within every person,” Pelosi said. “After leaving the White House, he carried on his service — leading perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Carter’s legacy is of compassion, kindness, empathy and hard work.
“He served others both at home and around the world his entire life — and he loved doing it,” Trudeau said in a post on X. “He was always thoughtful and generous with his advice to me.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also issued a statement about Carter’s death, noting that Carter will be remembered for his Camp David Accords negotiations and his “lifelong dedication to peace.”
“Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad,” Starmer said.
Starmer said his thoughts are with the Carter family for their loss.
Updated at 6:59 pm ET.
