Colin Powell: Difference between revisions

{{hatnote group|

{{redirect-multi|2|General Powell|Secretary Powell}}

}}

{{pp-move-indef}}

{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}

{{Infobox officeholder

}}

| signature          = Colin Luther Powell Signature.svg

| branch              = {{flag|United States Army}}

| rank                = [[General (United States)|General]]

| unit                = {{plainlist|

* [[V Corps (United States)|V Corps]]

* 2nd Brigade, [[101st Airborne Division]]

}}

| battles            = {{plainlist|

}}

Powell was born in New York City in 1937 to parents who immigrated from [[Colony of Jamaica|Jamaica]]. He was raised in the [[South Bronx]] and educated in the New York City public schools, earning a bachelor's degree in geology from the [[City College of New York]]. He joined the [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps]] while at City College and was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] on graduating in 1958. He was a professional soldier for 35 years, holding many command and staff positions and rising to the rank of [[four-star general]]. He was commander of the [[U.S. Army Forces Command]] in 1989.

==Military career==

====My Lai massacre inquiry====

Powell was charged with investigating a detailed letter by [[11th Light Infantry Brigade]] soldier Tom Glen, which backed up rumored allegations of the 1968 [[My Lai massacre]].<ref name="CAPL"/> Powell wrote: "In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between [[Americal Division|Americal]] soldiers and the [[Vietnamese people]] are excellent".<ref>{{cite book |last1=DeYoung |first1=Karen |author-link1=Karen DeYoung |title=Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell |date=2006 |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-307-26593-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7baTaod_kEcC&dq=%22In%20direct%20refutation%20of%20this%20portrayal%20is%20the%20fact%20that%20relations%20between%22&pg=PT92 |language=en}}</ref> Later, Powell's assessment would be described as [[Whitewash (censorship)|whitewashing]] the news of the massacre, and questions would continue to remain undisclosed to the public.<ref name="BBCNews Obit">{{cite news |title=Colin Powell: From Vietnam vet to secretary of state |date=October 18, 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33957894 |work=BBC News |access-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018212230/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33957894 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2004, Powell said to television and radio host [[Larry King]], "I was in a unit that was responsible for My Lai. I got there after My Lai happened. So, in war, these sorts of horrible things happen every now and again, but they are still to be deplored".<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview on CNN's Larry King Live |publisher=US Department of State |location=New York |date=May 4, 2004 |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/32160.htm |access-date=February 3, 2007 |archive-date=February 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205115534/http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/32160.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

When he returned to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1971, Powell earned a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree from [[George Washington University]] in Washington, D.C.<ref name="Education" /><ref name="BBC Obit." /> He later served a [[White House Fellows]]hip under President [[Richard Nixon]] from 1972 to 1973. During 1975–1976 he attended the [[National War College]], Washington, D.C.<ref name=BrownWagner>{{cite book|last1=Brown|first1=Warren|last2=Wagner|first2=Heather Lehr|title=Colin Powell: Soldier and Statesman|year=2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|pages=41, 43}}</ref>

===National Security Advisor and other advisory roles===

After he left Fort Carson, Powell became the senior military assistant to Secretary of Defense [[Caspar Weinberger]], whom he assisted during the [[Invasion of Grenada|1983 invasion of Grenada]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kukielski|first=Philip|title=The U.S. Invasion of Grenada : legacy of a flawed victory|publisher=McFarland & Co.|year=2019|isbn=978-1-4766-7879-5|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|pages=209–10, 218|oclc=1123182247}}</ref> and the [[1986 Bombing of Libya|1986 airstrike on Libya]].<ref name="Graham-2021">{{Cite news|last=Graham|first=Bradley|date=October 18, 2021|title=Colin L. Powell, former secretary of state and military leader, dies at 84|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/colin-powell-dead/2021/10/18/fdc71fde-c5db-11df-94e1-c5afa35a9e59_story.html|access-date=October 18, 2021|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018125314/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/colin-powell-dead/2021/10/18/fdc71fde-c5db-11df-94e1-c5afa35a9e59_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Weinberger, Powell was also involved in the unlawful transfer of U.S.-made [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW]] anti-tank missiles and [[MIM-23 Hawk|Hawk]] anti-aircraft missiles from Israel to Iran as part of the criminal conspiracy that would later become known as the [[Iran–Contra affair]].<ref name="Firewall">{{cite book |first=Lawrence E. |last=Walsh |title=Firewall: The Iran–Contra Conspiracy and Cover-up |location=New York |publisher=Norton & Company |date=1997 |isbn=978-0-3933-1860-9}}</ref>{{rp|pp=342–49}}<ref name="WalshReport1">{{cite report |last=Walsh |first=Lawrence |title=Final Report of the Independent Counsel for Iran/Contra Matters |volume=1 |pages=xx, 70, 92, 341, 406–11, 414, 416–17, 421, 423, 427–28, 430–32, 434, 436, 438–40 |date=August 4, 1993 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://archive.org/details/WalshReport |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}</ref> In November 1985, Powell solicited and delivered to Weinberger a legal assessment that the transfer of Hawk missiles to Israel or Iran, without Congressional notification, would be "a clear violation" of the law.<ref name="Firewall"/>{{rp|345}}<ref name="WalshReport1"/> Despite this, thousands of TOW missiles and hundreds of Hawk missiles and spare parts were transferred from Israel to Iran until the venture was exposed in a Lebanese magazine, ''[[Ash-Shiraa]]'', in November 1986.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Arms, Hostages and Contras: How a Secret Foreign Policy Unraveled |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/19/world/iran-contra-report-arms-hostages-contras-secret-foreign-policy-unraveled.html |work=The New York Times |edition=National |date=November 19, 1987 |at=sec. A. p. 12 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426004710/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DB173EF93AA25752C1A961948260 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=hunter>{{cite journal|author=Shireen T. Hunter|title=After the Ayatollah|journal=Foreign Policy|date=Spring 1987|volume=66|issue=66|pages=77–97|doi=10.2307/1148665|jstor=1148665| issn=0015-7228 }}</ref><ref name="Why arms dealings failed">{{cite web |last=Cave |first=George |author-link=George W. Cave |title=Why Secret 1986 U.S.–Iran 'Arms for Hostages' Negotiations Failed |date=September 8, 1994 |publisher=Washington Report on Middle Eastern Affairs |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://www.wrmea.org/1994-september-october/why-secret-1986-us-iran-arms-for-hostages-negotiations-failed.html |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505172844/https://www.wrmea.org/1994-september-october/why-secret-1986-us-iran-arms-for-hostages-negotiations-failed.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Iran-Contra [[Independent Counsel]] [[Lawrence E. Walsh]], when questioned by Congress, Powell "had given incomplete answers" concerning notes withheld by Weinberger and that the activities of Powell and others in concealing the notes "seemed corrupt enough to meet the new, poorly defined test of [[Obstruction of justice|obstruction]]".<ref name="Firewall"/>{{rp|403}} Following his resignation as Secretary of Defense, Weinberger was indicted on five felony charges, including one count Obstruction of Congress for concealing the notes.<ref name=Brinley>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/17/us/weinberger-faces-5-counts-in-iran-contra-indictment.html | title = Weinberger Faces 5 Counts In Iran-Contra Indictment | author = Brinley, Joel | date = June 17, 1992 | access-date = October 19, 2021 | newspaper = The New York Times | archive-date = March 9, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210309180241/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/17/us/weinberger-faces-5-counts-in-iran-contra-indictment.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="WalshReport2">{{cite report |last=Walsh |first=Lawrence |title=Final Report of the Independent Counsel for Iran/Contra Matters |volume=2 |date=August 4, 1993 |access-date=October 19, 2021 |url=https://archive.org/details/WalshReport/Walsh%20Report%20volume%202%20Indictments%2C%20Plea%20Agreements%2C%20Interim%20Reports%20to%20the%20Congress%2C%20and%20Administrative%20Matters/mode/2up |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office}}</ref>{{rp|p=456}} Powell was never indicted by the Independent Counsel in connection with the Iran-Contra affair.<ref name="WalshReport2"/>

In 1986, Powell took over the command of [[V Corps (United States)|V Corps]] in Frankfurt, Germany, from [[Robert Lewis "Sam" Wetzel]]. The next year, he served as [[United States Deputy National Security Advisor]], under [[Frank Carlucci]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bamford |first=James |author-link=James Bamford |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/18/magazine/carlucci-and-the-nsc.html |title=Carlucci and the N.S.C. |date=January 18, 1987 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 25, 2020 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526164929/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/18/magazine/carlucci-and-the-nsc.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:GEN Colin Powell.JPG|thumb|upright|Powell's official portrait as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, {{circa}} 1989]]

===Dates of rank===

! Rank !! Date

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|}

File:Ranger Tab.svg|[[Ranger Tab]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>

File:US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge.gif|[[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Parachutist Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>

File:AirAssault.svg|[[Air Assault Badge]]

File:US - Presidential Service Badge.png|[[Presidential Service Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>

File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg|[[Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>

File:United States Army Staff Identification Badge.png|[[Army Staff Identification Badge]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>

|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] with three [[oak leaf clusters]]<ref name="valor">{{cite web|title=Colin Luther Powell|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/100351|work=Hall of Valor|access-date=August 17, 2018|archive-date=August 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161513/https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/100351|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-

|[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]] with oak leaf cluster<ref name="valor"/>

|-

|[[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>

|-

|[[Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>

|-

|[[Defense Superior Service Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>

|-

|[[Soldier's Medal]]<ref name="valor"/>

|-

|[[Bronze Star Medal]]<ref name="Graham-2021" />

|-

|[[Purple Heart]]<ref name="Graham-2021" />

|-

|[[Air Medal]]<ref name="NMAAHC">{{cite web |title=US Army green service uniform jacket and service medals worn by Colin L. Powell |url=https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2016.14.1a-v?destination=edan-search/collection_search%3Fedan_q%3D%252A%253A%252A%26edan_fq%255B0%255D%3Dname%253A%2522Powell%252C%2520Colin%2520L.%2522 |website=National Museum of African American History and Culture |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019175542/https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2016.14.1a-v?destination=edan-search%2Fcollection_search%3Fedan_q%3D%252A%253A%252A&edan_fq%255B0%255D%3Dname%253A%2522Powell%252C%2520Colin%2520L.%2522 |url-status=live }}</ref>

|-

|[[Joint Service Commendation Medal]]<ref name="NMAAHC"/>

|-

|[[Secretary's Distinguished Service Award]]<ref name="GWB WH"/>

|-

|[[National Defense Service Medal]] with bronze [[service star]]

|-

|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] with silver service star

|-

[[File:Condoleezza Rice Colin Powell George W. Bush Donald Rumsfeld.jpg|thumb|Powell, National Security Advisor [[Condoleezza Rice]] and Secretary of Defense [[Donald Rumsfeld]] listen to President [[George W. Bush]] speak]]

===2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq===

{{Main|Colin Powell's presentation to the United Nations Security Council}}

{{Blockquote|quote=My second purpose today is ... to share with you what the United States knows about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction ... Iraq's behavior demonstrate that Saddam Hussein and his regime have made no effort ... to disarm as required by the international community. Indeed, the facts and Iraq's behavior show that Saddam Hussein and his regime are concealing their efforts to produce more weapons of mass destruction ... every statement I make today is backed up by sources, solid sources. These are not assertions. What we're giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence.|author=Colin Powell|source=''Address to the United Nations Security Council''<ref name=UNSC_Powell_20030205>{{cite web |title=Remarks to the United Nations Security Council |publisher=US Department of State |first=Secretary Colin L. |last=Powell |location=New York City |date=February 5, 2003 |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/17300.htm |access-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-date=February 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205163122/http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/17300.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

Powell came under fire for his role in [[Rationale for the Iraq War|building the case]] for the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]]. A 2004 report by the [[Iraq Survey Group]] concluded that the evidence that Powell offered to support the allegation that the Iraqi government possessed [[weapons of mass destruction]] (WMDs) was inaccurate.<ref name="Guardian2004">{{cite news |date=October 6, 2004 |title=Iraq had no WMD – inspectors |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/06/usa.iraq1 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021083639/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/oct/06/usa.iraq1 |url-status=live }}</ref> As early as 2000 on the day Powell was nominated to be Secretary of State he told the press "Saddam is sitting on a failed regime that is not going to be around in a few years time".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Moens |first1=Alexander |author-link1=Alex Moens |title=The Foreign Policy of George W. Bush Values, Strategy, and Loyalty |date=2017 |publisher=Taylor & Francis}}</ref>

[[File:Colin Powell anthrax vial. 5 Feb 2003 at the UN.jpg|thumb|Powell holding a [[2001 anthrax attack|model vial of anthrax]] while giving a presentation to the [[United Nations Security Council]] in February 2003]]

A Senate report on intelligence failures would later detail the intense debate that went on behind the scenes on what to include in Powell's speech. State Department analysts had found dozens of factual problems in drafts of the speech. Some of the claims were taken out, but others were left in, such as claims based on the [[yellowcake forgery]].<ref name=LAT_Miller_20040715>{{Cite news  |last = Miller  |first = Greg  |title = Flaws Cited in Powell's U.N. Speech on Iraq  |work = Los Angeles Times  |date = July 15, 2004 |url = http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0715-05.htm  |access-date = February 3, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070212121956/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0715-05.htm  |archive-date = February 12, 2007 |url-status = dead  |df = mdy-all  }}</ref> The administration came under fire for having acted on faulty intelligence, particularly that which was single-sourced to the informant known as [[Curveball (informant)|Curveball]]. Powell later recounted how Vice President [[Dick Cheney]] had joked with him before he gave the speech, telling him, "You've got high poll ratings; you can afford to lose a few points". Powell's longtime [[aide-de-camp]] and Chief of Staff from 1989 to 2003, Colonel [[Lawrence Wilkerson]], later characterized Cheney's view of Powell's mission as to "go up there and sell it, and we'll have moved forward a peg or two. Fall on your damn sword and kill yourself, and I'll be happy, too".<ref name=DeYoung2006>{{Cite news  |last = DeYoung  |first = Karen |author-link=Karen DeYoung |title = Falling on His Sword: Colin Powell's most significant moment turned out to be his lowest  |newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]  |date = October 1, 2006 |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/27/AR2006092700106.html  |access-date = February 3, 2007 |archive-date = October 7, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081007160519/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/27/AR2006092700106.html  |url-status = live  }}</ref>

As recounted in ''Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell'', in 2001 before 9/11, [[Richard A. Clarke]], a [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]] holdover from the Clinton administration, pushed the new Bush administration for action against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, a move opposed by [[Paul Wolfowitz]] who advocated for the creation of a "U.S.-protected, opposition-run 'liberated' enclave around the southern Iraqi city of Basra".{{Sfn|DeYoung|2006a|pp=344–45}} Powell referred to Wolfowitz and other top members of Donald Rumsfeld's staff "as the 'JINSA crowd,' " in reference to the pro-Israel [[Jewish Institute for National Security of America|Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs]].{{Sfn|DeYoung|2006a|p=356}} Again invoking "the JINSA crowd" Powell also attributed the decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003 to the [[neoconservative]] belief that regime change in Baghdad "was a first and necessary stop on the road to peace in Jerusalem".{{Sfn|DeYoung|2006a|p=388}}

[[File:Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.jpg|thumb|upright|Secretary Powell with NATO Secretary General [[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]]]]

===Other foreign policy issues===

[[File:US Navy 050105-N-6020P-115 Secretary of State Colin Powell speaks to members of the international press about the United State's involvement in disaster relief at a press conference held at the Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia airport.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Powell in [[Banda Aceh]] speaking on United States's involvement in recovery efforts following the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami]] with [[Alwi Shihab]] wearing green.]]

In mid-November, Powell stated that he had seen new evidence suggesting that Iran was adapting missiles for a nuclear delivery system. The accusation came at the same time as the settlement of an agreement between Iran, the [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]], and the European Union.<ref name=NYT_Sciolino_20041118>{{Cite news  |last = Sciolino  |first = Elaine  |title = Exiles Add to Claims on Iran Nuclear Arms  |work = [[The New York Times]]  |date = November 18, 2004 |url = http://www.nci.org/04nci/11/pbs/ExilesAdd.htm  |access-date = February 8, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070102013832/http://www.nci.org/04nci/11/pbs/ExilesAdd.htm  |archive-date = January 2, 2007 |url-status = dead  |df = mdy-all  }}</ref>

==Life after diplomatic service==

In 2007, he joined the board of directors of [[Steve Case]]'s new company [[Revolution Health Group|Revolution Health]]. Powell also served on the [[Council on Foreign Relations]] Board of directors.<ref name=CFR>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfr.org/about/people/board_of_directors.html |title=Board of Directors |publisher=Council on Foreign Relations |access-date=December 6, 2007 |archive-date=November 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103055948/http://www.cfr.org/about/people/board_of_directors.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, Powell served as a spokesperson for [[National Mentoring Month]], a campaign held each January to recruit volunteer mentors for at-risk youth.<ref name="mentor2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/chc/wmy2008/Celebrities/colin_powell.html|title=Who Mentored Colin Powell?|publisher=President and Fellows of Harvard College|year=2008|access-date=August 21, 2008|archive-date=July 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708232924/http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/chc/wmy2008/Celebrities/colin_powell.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Soon after [[Barack Obama]]'s [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 election]], Powell began being mentioned as a possible [[United States Cabinet|cabinet]] member.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2008/11/11/al-gore-colin-powell-caroline-kennedy-in-obamas-administration.html |title=Al Gore, Colin Powell, Caroline Kennedy in Obama's Administration? – Washington Whispers |publisher=usnews.com |date=November 11, 2008 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-date=May 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503104421/http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2008/11/11/al-gore-colin-powell-caroline-kennedy-in-obamas-administration.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was not nominated. In September 2009, Powell advised President Obama against surging U.S. forces in Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Powell advised against Afghan surge |work=Politico |date=September 27, 2009 |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/0909/Powell_advised_against_Afghan_surge.html |access-date=August 25, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227120950/https://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/0909/Powell_advised_against_Afghan_surge.html }}</ref> The president announced the surge the following December.

{{External media|title=Powell condemns President Trump for the January 6 United States Capitol attack|video1=[https://www.today.com/news/trump-should-resign-nixon-colin-powell-says-today-t205335 ''TODAY'' interview on NBC with Powell calling for President Trump's resignation, 8 January 2021], [[Today (American TV program)|TODAY]]}}

{{external media | width = 210px | align =  | headerimage= |title=Powell on ''My American Journey''| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?68953-1/american-journey ''Booknotes'' interview with Powell on ''My American Journey'', 7 January 1996], [[C-SPAN]]}}

===Endorsement of Barack Obama===

Powell donated the maximum allowable amount to [[John McCain]]'s campaign in the summer of 2007<ref name=CNN_Henry_20070809>{{Cite news  |last = Henry  |first = Ed  |title = Powell donates to McCain  |publisher = CNN  |date = August 9, 2007 |url = http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/09/powell-donates-to-mccain/  |access-date = August 9, 2007 |url-status = dead  |archive-date = October 20, 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211020123808/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/08/09/powell-donates-to-mccain/  }}</ref> and in early 2008, his name was listed as a possible [[running mate]] for Republican nominee McCain's bid during the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 U.S. presidential election]].<ref name=Reuters_Holland_20080305>{{cite news |access-date=April 14, 2008

When asked why he was still a Republican on ''Meet the Press'' he said, "I'm still a Republican. And I think the Republican Party needs me more than the Democratic Party needs me. And you can be a Republican and still feel strongly about issues such as immigration, and improving our education system, and doing something about some of the social problems that exist in our society and our country. I don't think there's anything inconsistent with this".<ref>{{cite web

In a July 2009 [[CNN]] interview with [[John King (journalist)|John King]], Powell expressed concern over President Obama increasing the size of the federal government and the size of the federal budget deficit.<ref name=WashTimes>{{cite news |title=Powell airs doubts on Obama agenda |date=July 3, 2009 |access-date=September 17, 2010 |work=The Washington Times |last=Ward |first=Jon |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/03/powell-airs-doubts-on-obama-agenda/ |archive-date=December 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212023304/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/03/powell-airs-doubts-on-obama-agenda/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2010, he criticized the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]] for not focusing "like a razor blade" on the economy and job creation. Powell reiterated that Obama was a "transformational figure".<ref>{{cite web |first=Carrie |last=Budoff Brown |title=Colin Powell critical of President Obama |work=Politico |date=September 19, 2010 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2010/09/powell-critical-of-obama-042381 |url-status=live |access-date=August 25, 2021 |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214033244/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42381.html }}</ref> In a video that aired on CNN.com in November 2011, Colin Powell said in reference to Barack Obama, "many of his decisions have been quite sound. The financial system was put back on a stable basis".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2011/11/11/bts-piers-colin-powell-intv.cnn?iref=allsearch | publisher=CNN | title=Video | url-status=dead | access-date=December 15, 2008 | archive-date=December 30, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230111923/http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2011/11/11/bts-piers-colin-powell-intv.cnn?iref=allsearch }}</ref>

In an interview with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s [[Diane Sawyer]] and [[George Stephanopoulos]] during ABC's coverage of President Obama's second inauguration, Powell criticized members of the Republican Party who spread "things that demonize the president". He called on GOP leaders to publicly denounce such talk.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colin Powell Slams 'Idiot Presentations' by Some Republicans, Urges GOP Leaders to 'Speak Out' |work=ABC News |last=Falcone |first=Michael |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/01/colin-powell-slams-idiot-presentations-by-some-republicans-urges-gop-leaders-to-speak-out-2/ |date=January 21, 2013|access-date=January 22, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122014437/http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/01/colin-powell-slams-idiot-presentations-by-some-republicans-urges-gop-leaders-to-speak-out-2/ }}</ref>

Powell accused the [[Hillary Clinton]] campaign of trying to pin her [[Hillary Clinton's email controversy|email controversy]] on him. Speaking to [[People (magazine)|''People'']] magazine, Powell said "she was using [the private email server] for a year before I sent her a memo telling her what I did".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/article/colin-powell-hillary-clinton-pinning-email-scandal-on-him |title=Colin Powell Says Hillary Clinton's 'People Have Been Trying to Pin' Email Scandal on Him |work=People |date=August 21, 2016 |access-date=September 14, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912194133/http://www.people.com/article/colin-powell-hillary-clinton-pinning-email-scandal-on-him }}</ref>

In private emails, Powell called Donald Trump a "national disgrace" with "no sense of shame". He wrote of Trump's role in the [[birther]] movement, which he called "racist". He suggested the media ignore Trump: "To go on and call him an idiot just emboldens him". The emails were obtained by the media as the result of a hack.<ref>{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Aaron|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/14/here-are-the-juiciest-colin-powell-comments-about-trump-and-clinton-from-his-leaked-emails/|title=Here are the juiciest Colin Powell comments about Trump and Clinton from his hacked emails|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 14, 2016|access-date=June 7, 2020|url-status=live|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611000603/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/14/here-are-the-juiciest-colin-powell-comments-about-trump-and-clinton-from-his-leaked-emails/}}</ref>

===Views on the Trump administration===

==Personal life and death==

Present at the funeral service at the [[Washington National Cathedral]] were President Biden and former presidents [[Barack Obama]] and [[George W. Bush]], along with First Lady [[Jill Biden]] and former first ladies [[Michelle Obama]], [[Laura Bush]], and [[Hillary Clinton]] (also representing her husband, former president [[Bill Clinton]], who was unable to attend following treatment for [[sepsis]]) as well as many other dignitaries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/11/05/1052482356/watch-colin-powells-funeral-is-held-at-washington-national-cathedral|title=Colin Powell is remembered as a down-to-earth statesman and leader at his funeral|last=Naylor|first=Brian|publisher=NPR|date=November 5, 2021|access-date=November 5, 2021}}</ref>

{{Infobox Coat of arms

|image = Coat of Arms of Colin Powell.svg

|crest = The head of an American bald-headed eagle erased, the erasure per bend sinister Proper.

|motto = Devoted To Public Service

The swords and stars refer to the former general's career, as does the crest, which is the badge of the 101st Airborne (which he served as a brigade commander in the mid-1970s). The lion may be an allusion to Scotland. The shield can be shown surrounded by the insignia of an honorary Knight Commander of the Most Honorable [[Order of the Bath]] (KCB), an award the General received after the first Gulf War.

* In 1991, Powell was awarded the [[Spingarn Medal]] from the [[NAACP]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naacp.org/pages/spingarn-medal-winners |title=Spingarn Medal Winners: 1915 to Today|publisher=[[NAACP]]|access-date=August 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802063355/http://www.naacp.org/pages/spingarn-medal-winners |archive-date=August 2, 2014 }}</ref>

* In 1991, Powell was inducted into the [[Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Colin L. Powell |publisher=The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans|url =https://horatioalger.org/members/member-detail/colin-l-powell|access-date=October 18, 2021|archive-date=August 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830193905/https://horatioalger.org/members/member-detail/colin-l-powell}}</ref>  

* In 1993, Colin Powell was created an honorary Knight Commander of the [[Order of the Bath]] by Queen [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom]].<ref name="oladipofacts">{{Cite news|last=Oladipo|first=Gloria|date=October 18, 2021|title=Colin Powell: key facts from his life|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/18/colin-powell-key-facts|access-date=October 19, 2021|work=[[The Guardian]]|language=en|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019003849/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/18/colin-powell-key-facts|url-status=live}}</ref>

* In 1998, he was awarded the [[Sylvanus Thayer Award]] by the [[United States Military Academy]] for his commitment to the ideals of "Duty, Honor, Country".<ref>{{Cite web|title=1998 Sylvanus Thayer AWard| work=West Point Association of Graduates | date=September 15, 1998 |url=https://www.westpointaog.org/page.aspx?pid=494|access-date=October 19, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019055410/https://www.westpointaog.org/page.aspx?pid=494|url-status=live | last1=Hassler | first1=Becky }}</ref>

* Powell received the 2006 [[AARP]] Andrus Award, the Association's highest honor.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Richissin|first=Todd|date=May 2, 2006|title=AARP honors Colin Powell with Andrus Award|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-05-02-0605020355-story.html|access-date=October 19, 2021|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|language=en-US|archive-date=June 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620024828/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2006-05-02-0605020355-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

* In 2005, Colin and Alma Powell were awarded the [[Woodrow Wilson Awards|Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service]] by the [[Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars]] of the [[Smithsonian Institution]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statement from Ambassador Mark Green on the Passing of General Colin L. Powell|date=October 18, 2021 |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/statement-ambassador-mark-green-passing-general-colin-l-powell|access-date=October 19, 2021|publisher=[[Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars|Wilson Center]]|language=en|archive-date=October 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018210515/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/statement-ambassador-mark-green-passing-general-colin-l-powell|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Powell was a recipient of the [[Silver Buffalo Award]], the highest adult award given by the [[Boy Scouts of America]].<ref name="Scouting">{{cite web |title=List of Silver Buffalo recipients |url=https://scoutingmagazine.org/silverbuffalo/ |website=Scouting Magazine |date=August 30, 2016 |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709072231/https://scoutingmagazine.org/silverbuffalo/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

* In 2002, scholar [[Molefi Kete Asante]] listed Colin Powell on his list of 100 Greatest Blacks in America.<ref>Asante, Molefi Kete (2002). ''100 Greatest African Americans: A Biographical Encyclopedia''. Amherst, New York. Prometheus Books. {{ISBN|1-57392-963-8}}.</ref>

* In 2009, an elementary school named for Colin Powell opened in [[El Paso, Texas|El Paso]]. It is in the [[El Paso Independent School District]], located on [[Fort Bliss]] property, and serves a portion of Fort Bliss.<ref>According to the ''Fort Bliss Bugle'', as of October 24, 2013, nine schools have been named for Colin Powell.</ref>

* Powell was an honorary board member of the humanitarian organization [[Wings of Hope (charity)|Wings of Hope]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wings-of-hope.org |title=.: The Official Wings Of Hope Homepage :. |publisher=Wings-of-hope.org |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218201438/http://www.wings-of-hope.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

* From 2006, he was the chairman of the [[Eisenhower Fellowships|Board of Trustees for Eisenhower Fellowships]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.efworld.org/about/eisenhower_fellowships_board.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830152415/http://www.efworld.org/about/eisenhower_fellowships_board.php|url-status=dead|title=efworld|archive-date=August 30, 2012|access-date=March 13, 2019}}</ref>

* In 2006, The [[Harry S. Truman]] Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace at [[The Hebrew University of Jerusalem]] awarded Colin Powell with the Truman Peace Prize for his efforts to conduct the "war against terrorism", through diplomatic as well as military means, and to avert regional and civil conflicts in many parts of the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afhu.org/files/HUArticles/Powell%20Friendship%20with%20Israel%20Means%20Friendship%20with%20Arabs.pdf|title=Powell: Friendship with Israel means friendship with Arabs|publisher=afhu.org|access-date=January 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502230434/http://www.afhu.org/files/HUArticles/Powell%20Friendship%20with%20Israel%20Means%20Friendship%20with%20Arabs.pdf|archive-date=May 2, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

* In 2014, Colin Powell was named to the National Board of Advisors for [[High Point University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.highpoint.edu/nationalboard/|title=National Board of Advisors|website=National Board of Advisors|access-date=August 18, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818141608/https://www.highpoint.edu/nationalboard/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==

{{Portal|United States|Biography}}

* [[Conservatism in the United States]]

* [[List of American conservatives]]

* [[Republican and conservative support for Barack Obama in 2008]]

{{NAACP Image Award – President's Award}}

{{Recipients of the Soldier's Medal}}

{{Spingarn Medal}}

}}

[[Category:American anti-communists]]

[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]

[[Category:American political writers]]

[[Category:American politicians of Jamaican descent]]

[[Category:Black conservatism in the United States]]

[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]

[[Category:Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]]

[[Category:City College of New York alumni]]

[[Category:Congressional Gold Medal recipients]]

[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland]]

[[Category:Diplomats from New York City]]

[[Category:Episcopalians from New York (state)]]

[[Category:Fellows of the United States National Academy of Public Administration]]

[[Category:George W. Bush administration cabinet members]]