RIP Mr. Jimmy

He will be remembered for restoring dignity and compassion to the Presidency

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away today in his home in Georgia after entering hospice care in 2023. The former President struggled with brain cancer and underwent surgery in 2019 to relieve pressure on his brain.

I was a federal prosecutor in Georgia, and his hometown of Plains was in my jurisdiction. Everyone in that town - Republicans and Democrats - loved him. In 2001 when I was there, they still called him, “Mr. Jimmy.” Ever since then, I always think of that when his name comes up.

He had the greatest post-presidency in American history. While most presidents have faded into obscurity after they left office, Carter continued his tireless service to humanity.

I also think about how he put his modest peanut farm in Plains in trust when he was elected. The possibility of any conflict of interest was pretty slim, but he did it to set an example. I contrast that to what we have coming in now.

Carter, a Democratic Governor of Georgia and Navy Veteran, only served one term in the White House, but in that four years he managed to exemplify most what we hope our presidents will be: a humble compassionate servant, free of scandal.

Carter famously put his Georgia peanut farm into a blind trust when he became president so as not to give the appearance of profiting off his office. In the wake of Richard Nixon's resignation and subsequent pardon, Carter came to embody the fierce desire of the American people to restore dignity to the office of president.

Carter the president will forever be known for his attempts to restore human rights as the priority in U.S. foreign policy. His direction led to the signing of the historic Camp David Accords in 1978, which led to peace between Israel and Egypt, and the signing of the Panama Canal treaties, relinquishing U.S. control over the Canal Zone and maintaining it's neutrality.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

What he will perhaps be best known for is his humanitarian work after leaving the White House, where he continued to be a fierce champion for human rights and social justice all over the world. He famously began volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in 1984, building homes for needy families; work that he continued well into his 90's.

His volunteer work building homes led to the creation of the The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, which built 4,390 homes across 14 countries.

Jimmy Carter follows his wife Rosalynn Carter who passed away November 19th of last year. He lived long enough to achieve his final goal of voting for Kamala Harris, a black woman, for President of the United States.

I have a feeling I know what Mr. Jimmy is up to right about now …