Trump shared condolences for Cummings' family in a statement released Thursday morning.

"I got to see first hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader," he said. "His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!"

My warmest condolences to the family and many friends of Congressman Elijah Cummings. I got to see first hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader. His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace! — Donald J. Trump (@ realDonaldTrump ) October 17, 2019

Former President Barack Obama said in a statement that he and his wife, Michelle Obama, were heartbroken by news of Cummings' passing.

"As Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, he showed us all not only the importance of checks and balances within our democracy, but also the necessity of good people stewarding it," Obama said. "Steely yet compassionate, pricinipled yet open to new perspectives, Chairman Cummings remained steadfast in his pursuit of truth, justice, and reconciliation."

Obama statement on Elijah Cummings pic.twitter.com/ITCCaBtJVB — Amanda Terkel (@ aterkel ) October 17, 2019

Flags were lowered Thursday on Capitol Hill to honor Cummings, Cox Media Group's Jamie Dupree reported.

Flags have been lowered on Capitol Hill to honor Rep Elijah Cummings D-MD, who died this morning at age 68 https://t.co/flrLWoPDfu pic.twitter.com/7P568YP2bP — Jamie Dupree (@ jamiedupree ) October 17, 2019

"I'm devastated by the loss," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday after meeting with Cummings' wife to share condolences from her caucus. "She said what we all knew -- he just fought to the end. But that's the way he was."

According to Cummings' congressional website, the Baltimore native graduated from Howard University with a bachelor's degree in political science before completing law school at the University of Maryland. He eventually was awarded 13 honorary doctorates, the website says.

Before he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Cummings was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1983 to 1996. Cummings' website says he was "the first African American in Maryland history to be named speaker pro tem."

Cummings is survived by his wife, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, and three children, the Washington Post reported.

After learning of his death, friends, colleagues and other public figures remembered Cummings on Twitter, calling him a "patriot" and a "warrior."