- Former NSA, Robert O’Brien, said: Powell “set a standard of integrity [and] professionalism for all of us who succeeded him.”
Robert O’Brien, who said Powell “set a standard of integrity [and] professionalism for all of us who succeeded him.”
Former President Trump lashed out at the media on Tuesday for what he said was too-favorable coverage of former Secretary of State Colin Powell after his death on Monday.
“Wonderful to see Colin Powell, who made big mistakes on Iraq and famously, so-called weapons of mass destruction, be treated in death so beautifully by the Fake News Media. Hope that happens to me someday,” Trump said in a statement.
Other insults: Trump called Powell “a classic RINO,” an acronym for “Republican in name only.”
“He made plenty of mistakes, but anyway, may he rest in peace!” Trump added.
An unsurprising response: The former President’s criticisms were unsurprising.
Trump throughout his time in office criticized Powell and other architects of the Iraq War, including former President George W. Bush, for whom Powell served as secretary of State.
The comments, however, did not mirror the responses of several top officials from his administration, including former National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien, who said Powell “set a standard of integrity [and] professionalism for all of us who succeeded him.”
No Trump fan: Powell was an ardent critic of Trump, particularly after the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol attack. He endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Following the attack on the Capitol, Powell said he could “no longer call myself a fellow Republican.”