Dick Cheney: The Powerful and Polarizing Vice President Passes Away at 84
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics, has died at the age of 84. His family confirmed that he passed away from complications of pneumonia and cardiovascular disease. Cheney’s death marks the end of a chapter in U.S. political history that was defined by immense power, sharp division, and enduring debate over his legacy.
Cheney served as vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, a period that reshaped global politics. Often described as the most powerful vice president in U.S. history, he wielded significant influence over both foreign and domestic policy. Before that, he had already held major roles — as a congressman from Wyoming, White House chief of staff under Gerald Ford, and Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, where he directed the Gulf War campaign to drive Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991.
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But it was the 2003 invasion of Iraq that forever defined his time in office. Cheney was a leading advocate for the war, arguing that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and had links to al-Qaeda — claims later discredited. Even years later, Cheney stood by the decision, insisting it was justified based on the intelligence available at the time. To critics, however, the war and its aftermath symbolized the failures of U.S. foreign intervention, leading to widespread instability and enormous human cost.
In Washington, Cheney’s influence went far beyond the traditional role of a vice president. He built a powerful national security network within the Bush administration, often challenging figures like Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. His aggressive defense of “enhanced interrogation techniques” — including waterboarding and sleep deprivation — drew heavy criticism from human rights groups and international observers, who labeled the practices as torture.
Despite his divisive legacy, tributes poured in following his death. Former President George W. Bush described Cheney’s passing as “a loss to the nation,” praising him as “one of the finest public servants of his generation” and “a patriot who brought intelligence and integrity to every position he held.” Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called him a mentor who “taught her much about service and leadership,” while Bill Clinton, a frequent political opponent, acknowledged his deep dedication to the country.
In later years, Cheney became an outspoken critic of Donald Trump and the direction of the Republican Party. His daughter, Liz Cheney, also broke with the party line, voting to impeach Trump after the January 6 Capitol attack. Cheney supported her decision and even endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris for president in 2024, declaring Trump “the greatest threat to the republic” in U.S. history.
Though his influence on American politics remains undeniable, Cheney’s legacy continues to divide opinion. To some, he was a determined patriot who strengthened America’s resolve after 9/11. To others, he embodied an era of overreach and unaccountable power. Either way, Dick Cheney’s mark on history is certain to endure — a figure whose shadow still looms over U.S. foreign policy and presidential politics.
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