Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Colin Powell lambasted Donald Trump and January’s “awful” Capitol riot in his final interview with Bob Woodward.
The former US secretary of state, according to Mr Woodward, acknowledged that Mr Trump lost last year’s election and that the former US president had tried to “overturn” it.
“Trump refuses to acknowledge that he wasn’t reelected,” Mr Powell told Mr Woodward earlier this year. “He has people who go along with him on that.”
On the subject of the Capitol riot, Mr Powell added that “It was awful. He was going in there to overturn the government.”
Mr Woodward’s final interview with Mr Powell, the first Black US secretary of state, was published by The Washington Post following news of his death on Monday.
Trump forced to sit for four-hour deposition on 2015 attack on protesters: ‘No one is above the law’
George W Bush and Joe Biden lead Colin Powell tributes after ex-secretary of state dies
District attorneys refuse to prosecute some GOP-led laws
Biden's dilemma: Satisfying Manchin risks losing other Dems
‘I wrote better pleadings in law school’: Trump lawsuit likely to be rejected by courts, experts say
Mr Powell died of Covid complications following a long running illness that weakens the body’s immune system. He had been fully vaccinated but the illness impaired his body’s fight against Covid.
He also told Mr Woodward in his final interview that he had Parkinsons as well as multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood, which was confirmed by longtime aide, Peggy Cifrino, on Monday.
“I’ve got multiple myeloma cancer, and I’ve got Parkinson’s disease. But otherwise I’m fine,” Mr Powell reportedly told The Post reporter. “Don’t feel sorry for me, for God’s sakes! I’m [84] years old.”
The release of his final interview comes nine months after Mr Powell called on Mr Trump to stand down from office in the wake of January’s riot on the Capitol.
“I wish he would do what Nixon did and just step down. Somebody ought to go up to him and it’s over. Plane’s waiting for you. You’re out,” Mr Powell told TODAY in January.
“That way he would not only step down, he would in addition sort of cut the guts out from underneath this group of people who he has working for him”.
“What he is responsible for is one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen,” said Mr Powell.
The former US president was among those who did not issue a statement honouring Mr Powell after his death on Monday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments