Former Vice President Richard B. “Dick” Cheney, the architect of the U.S.’s limitless “war on terror” throughout his time because the No. 2 within the George W. Bush administration, has died, his household introduced in a assertion Tuesday. He was 84.
“The former Vice President died due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease” on Monday night, the assertion reads.
“For decades, Dick Cheney served our nation, including as White House Chief of Staff, Wyoming’s Congressman, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President of the United States,” his household mentioned. “Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.”
Tributes have began pouring in from Republicans on Capitol Hill.
“My prayers are [with] the Cheney family Dick served our country [with] distinction in various roles over many decades,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) wrote on X, previously Twitter. “He was a true public servant & proud American.”
“Dick Cheney was a giant in American politics, and his impact will be felt for decades,” mentioned Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.).
Throughout his tenure as Bush’s vice chairman from 2001 to 2009, Cheney was a number one proponent of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and a notable advocate for torture of suspected terrorists. He turned recognized for his neoconservative views on international coverage and his advocacy of the usage of government energy.
Cheney has been referred to as “the most powerful vice president in history.” Bush mentioned at one level, “When you’re talking to Dick Cheney, you’re talking to me. When Dick Cheney’s talking, it’s me talking.”
Charles Dharapak/File/AP Photograph
Most lately, Cheney made heads flip along with his endorsement of then-Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee within the 2024 presidential election.
“In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Cheney mentioned in a press release in September 2024. “He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again.”
“As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris,” he continued.
Cheney had supported Trump in 2016 however turned on the GOP chief following the Jan. 6, 2021, rebellion.
Sara Bondioli contributed reporting.
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