Pentagon chief Austin says ‘not possible’ to replace Colin Powell

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reflected on the death of former Secretary of State and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell on Monday, saying it is “not possible” to replace the diplomatic and military leader.

“The world lost one of the greatest leaders that we have ever witnessed,” Austin said Monday morning. “And it will be, quite frankly, it is not possible to replace a Colin Powell.”

Powell died Monday morning due to complications from COVID-19, his family announced in a statement. He was fully vaccinated against the virus and receiving treatment at the Walter Reed National Medical Center. He had also reportedly been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

It will be impossible to replace Gen. Colin Powell. He was a tremendous personal friend and mentor to me, and there’s a hole in my heart right now as I think about his loss. My thoughts and prayers today are with his family, and I want them to know I will miss him dearly. pic.twitter.com/pX24KQMMBc

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) October 18, 2021

Austin, the first-ever African American Pentagon chief, recognized the historic nature of Powell’s tenure in American politics and the barriers he broke. 

“First African American chairman of Joint Chiefs, first African American secretary of State, a man who was respected around the globe,” Austin said.

Austin said he lost a “tremendous personal friend and mentor.”

“He has been my mentor for a number of years. He always made time for me. And I can always go to him with tough issues, he always had great, great counsel. We will certainly miss him. I feel as if I have a hole in my heart,” Austin said.

“Alma lost a great husband, and the family lost a tremendous father,” the Pentagon chief said of Powell’s wife. “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, and we’re deeply, deeply saddened to learn of this.”

Powell applauded then-President-elect Joe Biden for nominating Austin to serve as his Defense secretary in December, calling the pick a “superb choice.”

“General Austin has served splendidly at all combat and civilian levels in the Armed Forces,” Powell said in a statement posted to his Facebook account. “He has demonstrated his warfighting skills and his bureaucratic, diplomatic and political acumen. Being older than him, I watched him closely and served as a mentor.”

Powell also spoke to the concern among some Congressional lawmakers regarding a waiver to allow Austin to serve as Pentagon chief, which was ultimately approved in a 69 to 27 vote.

He said Congress should have “no concern” in approving the waiver, highlighting Austin’s civilian business experience and reputation among troops. 

Former President George W. Bush on Monday said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of Powell, who served as his first secretary of State.