Dick Cheney spent decades shaping the direction of American policy, and his influence left a visible mark on U.S. politics. His path began long before he became one of the most powerful vice presidents in the nation’s history. After his passing at 84 from complications tied to pneumonia and cardiovascular issues, attention returned to the moments that built his complex legacy.
Cheney first entered Washington during a turbulent era. His early career linked him closely to Donald Rumsfeld, who played a major role in multiple administrations. Cheney joined Rumsfeld’s team in the late 1960s and stayed through the Nixon and Ford years.
When Gerald Ford became president after the Watergate fallout, Cheney stepped into a prominent role on the transition team. He then made history by taking on the role of White House chief of staff at only 34. That achievement marked him as a rising force in Republican politics, and he kept that position until the Ford administration ended.
He later represented Wyoming in Congress, winning reelection repeatedly. That chapter established him as a consistent conservative voice. Bush Sr. later tapped him as secretary of Defense, placing him at the center of major military decisions from 1989 to 1993.
Role in the Post-9/11 Era
Cheney’s time as vice president under President George W. Bush reshaped his public identity. The attacks on September 11, 2001, placed him in one of the most influential positions within the administration. He took a direct role in national security discussions, and many inside the government saw him as a key strategist behind some of the most consequential decisions of the era.
Cheney supported the push toward the Iraq invasion in 2003 and strongly defended the belief that Saddam Hussein held weapons of mass destruction. That claim later proved false, yet his backing drove the administration’s posture and set the tone for the war.
Historian James Mann described it bluntly in “Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush’s War Cabinet” when he wrote, “The invasion of Iraq was in many ways Dick Cheney’s war.”
The 9/11 Authorization to Shoot Down Flight 93
One of Cheney’s most dramatic decisions occurred on the day of the attacks. United Airlines Flight 93 had been hijacked, and intelligence suggested it might target Washington. The 9/11 Commission Report detailed Cheney’s directive, stating, “The Vice President authorized fighter aircraft to engage the aircraft.”
Passengers ultimately intervened before fighter jets arrived. The plane crashed in Pennsylvania, but Cheney’s order marked a historic moment. The report later noted that fighter jets likely wouldn’t have intercepted the plane in time. Still, the authorization showed the urgency and gravity of the White House response that morning.
The Hunting Accident
Public attention shifted again in 2006 when Cheney accidentally shot Texas attorney Harry Whittington during a quail-hunting trip. The incident sparked national headlines, partly because of the unusual nature of the accident and partly because of Cheney’s position at the time. Whittington suffered significant injuries but survived and later spoke about the event without resentment.
The story later appeared in the film “Vice,” where Christian Bale portrayed Cheney, adding another layer of cultural visibility to the moment.
Breaking From Trump and His Party
Cheney’s relationship with the Republican Party shifted late in his life. His stance during the 2024 presidential race drew widespread attention. He publicly said he would vote for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, a move that underscored how sharply he diverged from Trump-aligned Republicans. His blunt statement made headlines: “There has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.”
His daughter, former Representative Liz Cheney, also broke with Trump and endorsed Harris. Their shared stance reflected a deep frustration with the direction of the party after January 6.
Cheney’s Long Battle With Heart Disease
Cheney dealt with severe cardiac problems for decades. His first heart attack occurred in the late 1970s during his earliest congressional campaign. Additional heart attacks followed during his time in Congress, after the 2000 election, and again in 2010.
Medical advances helped extend his life, including a heart transplant in 2012. He later pushed back against the idea that he received special treatment, saying, “It’s not true.” Cardiologist Jonathan Reiner noted one exception: a custom-built defibrillator device in 2007. Reiner explained the reasoning by saying, “I thought it didn’t make a lot of sense for the vice president of the United States … to have a device that someone in the next hotel room, someone downstairs, someone on the rope line, might get into and kill him.”
A Vocal Defender of Harsh Interrogation Tactics
After leaving office, Cheney spoke openly about his support for what the CIA termed “enhanced interrogation techniques.” Critics labeled these actions as torture, but Cheney continued arguing that they produced valuable intelligence. His stance remained unwavering. He stated, “It worked, it absolutely worked,” and later argued, “I’d do it again in a minute.”
In a 2010 interview, he added, “I was a big supporter of waterboarding.” His comments fueled ongoing debate about the country’s counterterrorism practices and raised questions about the ethical boundaries of wartime decision-making.
The 2000 Election Standoff
Cheney stepped into the vice presidency during one of the most drawn-out election battles in U.S. history. The 2000 presidential race between Bush and Gore dragged on for 35 tense days as recounts and legal challenges mounted.
The dispute reached the Supreme Court before finally ending in Bush’s favor. That long fight introduced Cheney to the national spotlight even before he took office.
A Legacy That Continues to Influence Politics
Dick Cheney’s political footprint remains impossible to miss. His decisions shaped national security policy, influenced wars, and sparked ongoing debates about the limits of executive power. His break from Trump’s Republican Party added yet another dimension to an already complex legacy.
Although opinions about Cheney differ, his impact on modern American politics remains undeniable. His choices shaped the direction of the country, and his influence continues to drive discussion about leadership, power, and accountability.
As history continues to evaluate his role, Cheney’s story stands as one of the most consequential political journeys of the last half-century.