Colin Powell: Reflections on a man of influence, from Sen. Ben Cardin

By Tom Hall,

Published October 18, 2021 at 12:05 PM EDT

Colin Powell, the first Black US Secretary of State, Joint Chiefs Chairman and National Security Advisor, has died at age 84 from COVID-19 complications. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Former US Secretary of State Colin Powelldied this morning at the age of 84. In a statement posted on Facebook, his family said that Gen. Powell was fully vaccinated, but he died due to complications from COVID 19.

Gen. Powell was the first African American to serve as national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state.

Joining Tom to reflect on the legacy of Gen. Powell is Sen. Ben Cardin, Maryland’s senior Senator who has served for years on the Senate Foreign Relations committee.

Sen. Ben Cardin (D., Md) has served in the US senate since 2006, and is a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee

Sen. Cardin joined Tom on the phone. Their conversation was recorded earlier today, so we couldn't take any phone calls.