Dick Cheney, Former U.S. Vice President and Architect of Iraq War, Dies at 84

Dick Cheney, a figure often cited by presidential historians as one of the most influential U.S. Vice Presidents, passed away on Monday at 84. His family confirmed on Tuesday that his death was due to complications arising from pneumonia, cardiac, and vascular diseases.

A prominent Republican, Cheney’s political career began long before his vice presidency. He served as a Wyoming congressman and Secretary of Defense before being selected as George W. Bush’s running mate in the 2000 presidential election. From 2001 to 2009, as Vice President, Cheney was a staunch advocate for expanding presidential powers, believing they had diminished since the Watergate era. He also significantly bolstered the influence of the Vice President’s office, establishing a powerful national security team within the administration.

Cheney was a central figure in advocating for the 2003 invasion of Iraq, frequently warning of Iraq’s alleged weapons of mass destruction – which were never found. His stance on “enhanced” interrogation techniques, including waterboarding, also drew significant controversy, with critics labeling them as torture. Despite clashes with top Bush aides like Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice, Cheney remained firm in his convictions.

Later in life, Cheney publicly diverged from the Republican party’s mainstream by supporting his daughter Liz Cheney in her opposition to Donald Trump. He even stated he would vote for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in 2024, calling Trump the greatest threat to the republic in its history. His long history of heart problems included several heart attacks and a heart transplant in 2012. Throughout his career, Dick Cheney’s legacy remained a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/former-us-vp-dick-cheney-dead-84-punchbowl-news-says-2025-11-04/