Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of the most recognizable voices in the American civil rights movement and a former aide to Martin Luther King Jr., died Tuesday morning at age 84. His family announced he passed peacefully in Chicago after a long illness, sparking an outpouring of tributes from politicians on both sides of the aisle.

A Peaceful End After Years of Health Challenges

Jackson had been open in recent years about living with Parkinson's disease and other progressive neurological conditions. His family said he "died peacefully" Tuesday morning, adding in a statement: "His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by."

The Chicago pastor leaves behind a remarkable legacy—a Presidential Medal of Freedom, two Democratic presidential campaigns, and decades spent mentoring new generations of civil rights leaders.

Bipartisan Remembrances From Washington

President Donald Trump, who said he'd known Jackson for decades, called him "a good man" and "a force of nature." Trump recalled once providing office space for Jackson's organization and later collaborating on criminal-justice and education initiatives, including support for historically Black colleges and universities.

President Joe Biden honored Jackson as "a man of God and of the people" who was "unafraid of the work to redeem the soul of our Nation." Biden credited Jackson's optimism and persistent push for justice with helping guide the country through both "tumult and triumph."

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama praised Jackson's "lifetime of service" and described him as a "true giant" whose campaigns and voter-registration drives helped clear a path for other Black leaders. "We stood on his shoulders," they wrote.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris remembered Jackson as "one of America's greatest patriots," recalling that as a law student she drove with a "Jesse Jackson for President" bumper sticker. She vowed to carry forward his enduring call to "keep hope alive."

Former President Bill Clinton, who appointed Jackson as his special envoy for democracy and human rights in Africa before awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, celebrated their decades-long friendship and Jackson's "service to humanity." Clinton said Jackson "never stopped working for a better America with brighter tomorrows."

Local Leaders Remember His Impact

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Jackson a mentor whose "unwavering courage" affirmed "the humanity of working people." Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered flags lowered to half-staff, saying Jackson "broke down barriers, inspired generations, and kept hope alive."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remembered Jackson as "a voice for the voiceless" and "the people's champion." New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hailed him as a "giant of the civil rights movement who never stopped demanding that America live up to its promise."