Janet Reno Death: First Female U.S. Attorney General Dies At 78, How She's Being Remembered [VIDEO]
Just one day before the American people potentially elect their first female President, the first woman to serve as the U.S. Attorney General has passed away.
Janet Reno, who held the office during Bill Clinton's Presidency and was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease during her tenure back in 1995, died from complications of the disease on Monday at age 78. She died at her home in Miami-Dade County in Florida.
Reno's time as the Attorney General is most remembered, according to the New York Times, by a deadly federal raid on the compound of a religious cult in Waco, Texas back in 1993, and the 2000 seizure of Elian Gonzalez to return him to Cuba, both of which led to fierce criticism of her. Her relationship with then-President Clinton was also a strained one because of her decision to expand an inquiry into Whitewater, as well as his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky, which led to his impeachment.
Since news of her death, several political figures have spoken out about her on social media, with some honoring her memory and the fact that she was one of the women to break the glass ceiling by having the position she did:
We are saddened by the passing of Janet Reno. As the first female U.S. Attorney General, she was a pioneer and a dedicated public servant. pic.twitter.com/kVVoddsqNG
— Hillary Clinton (@VoteHillary2016) November 7, 2016
Janet Reno’s trailblazing tenure as the first woman Attorney General leaves an enduring legacy for justice. https://t.co/F17fQODPvy — Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) November 7, 2016
Janet Reno. An American original. My friend pic.twitter.com/BfbtLuEEya
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) November 7, 2016
Janet Reno was an inspiration & trailblazer for so many women in law enforcement & government -- including me. She will be dearly missed. — AG Loretta Lynch (@LorettaLynch) November 7, 2016
R.I.P. Janet Reno, glass ceiling breaker.
— (((Joshua Malina))) (@JoshMalina) November 7, 2016
Badass Janet Reno, one of the Original political and law makers & players. Rest in Peace! — Mr. Weeks (@MrDane1982) November 7, 2016
More have taken to social media however to use her death as a bit of a political prop just one day before the election however, with several comments about her actions as Attorney General, and reminders that she was a part of the Clinton Administration, in an effort to garner less support for Hillary Clinton's campaign:
Poor Janet Reno, she won't get to see a woman president elected tomorrow. Oh, wait, neither will any of you.
— Deplorable Von Trapp (@Anglo_Von_Trapp) November 7, 2016
I think Janet Reno died on purpose to remind us that being 1st female ______ doesn't preclude one from being horrible at the job once there. — Andy Kirn (@AndyKirn) November 7, 2016
For those of u too young to remember what happens when we let the Clinton's select U.S. Attorney General google
"janet reno waco ruby ridge"— Bruce Porter, Jr. (@NetworksManager) November 7, 2016