Trump-critic and former Vice President, Dick Cheney, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 3, following a life dedicated to the government and public service. His ultimate cause of death was cardiac and vascular disease, in addition to complications from pneumonia, as reported by his family.
Cheney was the 46th Vice President to President George W. Bush, serving two terms for the Republican Party. Largely known for his leadership during the 9/11 attacks, he was an avid supporter and enforcer of the Iraq War. Having experienced the September 11th events from the White House itself, Cheney was transported to a secret bunker where he collaborated with the administration to take action against the terrorists. In the midst of the situation, he gave the order to shoot down any hijacked planes, if necessary.
In the days and months following, Cheney wished to secure justice for those who had perished and their families, in addition to preventing further acts of violence against the United States. Along with Bush, he pushed for a rigorous response, though it led to the deaths of several thousand American troops and still more Iraqi civilians during the eight-year Iraq War. It became apparent that Cheney was willing to do whatever it took to protect the country, demonstrating his conservatism and dedication to security.
Despite his stricter views, he began to challenge the very essence of his beliefs towards the end of his life. One notable opinion expressed by Dick Cheney was his opposition to Donald Trump. While he and his wife previously endorsed the current President during his 2016 presidential term, Cheney grew speculative of the power Trump possessed and its threat to democracy.
His daughter, Liz Cheney, who at the time was a Wyoming Representative, spoke out against the President following the January 6 insurrection. The former Vice President supported his daughter’s criticism of Trump, deeming him a “threat to our republic” in an advertisement for Liz’s representative reelection campaign during the 2022 primaries. Both father and daughter found his efforts to stay in power, following his loss in the 2020 election to contradict the Constitution and the riot on the Capital, to be a rebellion against democracy as a whole.
During the 2024 presidential election, Cheney endorsed Kamala Harris, creating a bridge between the two parties and encouraging Republicans to place the wellbeing of the country over their political affiliation.
Following his death, Cheney’s life brings one clear message: know your beliefs, but don’t be afraid to challenge them, as speaking out does far more than staying silent ever will.
