Watch: Obama, Biden and Clinton remember 'tenacious' Jesse Jackson
The three former US presidents were among dozens of high profile figures present at the late civil rights activist's memorial.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"noted the country's political climate."
— Kamala Harris , Politician
"His voice calls on each of us to be heralds of change, to be messengers of hope."
— Barack Obama , Politician
"Jesse kept hope alive for us in his lifetime, and we've got to continue to do it."
— Joe Biden , Politician
"Jackson made me a better president because he was always pushing on things."
— Bill Clinton , Politician
"I'm not into saying ‘I told you so,’ but we did see it coming."
— Kamala Harris , Politician
"I foresee tomorrow will represent everything that Rev. Jackson stood for."
— Chauncey D. Brown , Activist
"Former President Barack Obama took a swipe at President Donald Trump, without mentioning him by name."
— Barack Obama , Politician
"a man who, when the poor and the dispossessed needed a champion and the country needed healing, stepped forward again and again and again and said: ‘send me’"
— Barack Obama , Politician
"underrated, undeterred and unafraid"
— Joe Biden , Politician
"we won’t go back!"
— Al Sharpton , Activist
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr."
— Jesse Jackson , Activist
"Jackson was a man who, when the poor and the dispossessed needed a champion and the country needed healing, stepped forward again and again."
— Barack Obama , Politician
"He was underrated, undeterred and unafraid."
— Joe Biden , Politician
"We won’t go back!"
— Al Sharpton , Activist
"I knew Jackson well and described him as a good man."
— Donald Trump , Politician
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition."
— Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. , Activist
"The message he sent to a 22-year-old child of a single mother with a funny name, an outsider, was that maybe there wasn't any place or any room where we didn't belong."
— Barack Obama , Politician
"He knew change came from the inside out."
— Bill Clinton , Politician
Key People
Al Sharpton is a civil rights activist who attended a press conference related to Nolan Wells' case.
Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States.
Bill Clinton is a former President of the United States.
Mayor of Chicago.
Pastor and mentee of Jesse Jackson.
Philosopher, political activist, and social critic known for his work on race and justice.
Former president of the United States known for his aggressive economic policies.
Gavin Newsom is the Governor of California.
Hillary Clinton is a former U.S. Secretary of State and presidential candidate.
Former professional basketball player.
Civil rights activist and wife of Jesse Jackson.
Governor of Illinois.
Governor of Illinois who demanded refunds for families following a Supreme Court ruling.
Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer and actress.
Civil rights activist and former presidential candidate.
Former U.S. Representative and activist.
Civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
Late civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
First Lady of the United States and educator.
Current U.S. President who has criticized Netanyahu's actions.
Kamala Harris is the current Vice President of the United States and the first female vice president.
Prominent civil rights leader and pastor.
American filmmaker and actor.
Tags
All Coverage
The three former US presidents were among dozens of high profile figures present at the late civil rights activist's memorial.
Former Presidents Clinton, Obama, and Biden, along with Vice President Harris, paid tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson at a public memorial in Chicago.
At Rev. Jesse Jackson's memorial in Chicago, former Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Biden, along with Vice President Harris, honored his legacy.
Former Presidents Obama, Biden, and Clinton, along with Vice President Harris, attended Rev. Jesse Jackson's memorial service in Chicago.
A memorial for Rev. Jesse Jackson is scheduled to take place in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday, honoring his influence on Iowa's political landscape.
A live broadcast of Rev. Jesse Jackson's memorial service in Chicago, featuring tributes from former Presidents Obama, Biden, and Clinton, along with other dignitaries.
Former Presidents Obama, Biden, and Clinton, along with other dignitaries, paid tribute to Rev. Jesse Jackson at his memorial service in Chicago, celebrating his legacy as a civil rights leader.
Former Presidents Obama and Biden honored Rev. Jesse Jackson at his funeral, highlighting his role as a civil rights pioneer and inspiration for action.
At a memorial service in Chicago, Rev. Jesse Jackson was celebrated as a champion for the poor and dispossessed, with tributes from former Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Biden.
Following a public tribute, Rev. Jesse Jackson's family held a private memorial service at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago.
Former Presidents Obama, Biden, and Clinton, along with other dignitaries, attended a memorial service in Chicago to honor the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, celebrating his life and legacy.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Eight charged over alleged conspiracy to attack White House UFC event
Thousands of people attended the event last month, including President Trump and Vice-President JD Vance.
July 10, 2026 at 07:27 PMUS justices make rare Capitol Hill appearance to warn of threats against them - Reuters
US justices make rare Capitol Hill appearance to warn of threats against them Reuters
July 14, 2026 at 05:41 PMHuge crowds in Mashhad as Iran's late supreme leader is buried
Ali Khamenei was buried at the Imam Reza shrine, Iran's holiest Shia Muslim site, ending six days of public mourning ceremonies.
July 9, 2026 at 11:18 PMTrump watches IndyCar pit stop outside White House
The event was a preview of the actual race that President Trump commissioned by signing an executive order in January.
July 13, 2026 at 07:25 PM'Hero, legend, sweetheart': Tributes to Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill, who has died aged 78
Friends, politicians and fellow film stars remember Neill following his "sudden and unexpected" death.
July 13, 2026 at 11:52 AMEx-Olympian pleads not guilty to Reflecting Pool vandalism charges
A former US Olympian canoeist denies accusations that he deliberately damaged the lining of the refurbished Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
July 9, 2026 at 05:01 PM