Washington, D.C. – Former Vice President Dick Cheney, a towering figure in American politics who played a pivotal role in the nation’s response to the September 11 attacks, died on Monday, November 3, 2025, due to complications from pneumonia, as well as ongoing cardiac and vascular disease. He was 84. Cheney’s health struggles, which included five heart attacks and a heart transplant, were well-documented throughout his extensive career in public service.
Cheney, who served under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2008, was often cited as one of the most influential vice presidents in the history of the United States. His aggressive push for the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 marked one of his most controversial and defining moments in office. Former President Bush, reflecting on Cheney’s contributions, described him as “a calm and steady presence” necessary during some of the nation’s most challenging times, particularly after the attacks on September 11.
The former vice president’s death heralds the close of a complex legacy, characterized by his hardline defense policies and significant role in shaping global and domestic affairs under the Bush administration. His funeral is scheduled for November 20 at the Washington National Cathedral, with his burial details yet to be announced.
Despite his consequential career, Cheney’s latter years saw him distancing from the Republican Party as it evolved under the influence of Donald Trump. His vocal criticism of Trump, especially following the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021, culminated in a stark condemnation during his daughter Liz Cheney’s 2022 reelection campaign. Cheney called Trump “a greater threat to our republic” than anything the nation had faced in its 246-year history.
This estrangement was mirrored in the cool response to Cheney’s passing from prominent figures within the Republican Party, with many opting to remain silent or uninvolved. Former allies, such as Texas Senator John Cornyn, chose not to comment, reflecting perhaps not only personal reticence but also the shifting allegiances within the party.
Cheney’s bold decision to endorse Democratic candidate Kamala Harris over Trump in the 2024 presidential election was seen as a final severing of his ties with the MAGA-dominated GOP, an action which Trump scornfully dismissed, labeling Cheney an “irrelevant RINO.”
Meanwhile, the White House has lowered flags to half-staff in recognition of Cheney’s service, a statutory honor for former vice presidents. However, as of now, President Trump has not issued a formal proclamation or public comment on Cheney’s death, which some interpret as indicative of the fractured relationship between the two.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has noted that discussions are ongoing regarding whether Cheney will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, a tribute traditionally bestowed upon the nation’s most esteemed public servants.
Throughout his career, Cheney held numerous influential roles such as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, Wyoming’s congressional representative, and Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush. His policies, particularly those expanding presidential powers and his advocacy of the unitary executive theory, have left a lasting imprint on American governance.
Survived by his wife of 61 years, Lynne, and their daughters Mary and Liz, the Cheney family in their statement remembered him as “a great and good man” who instilled a deep love of country in his descendants. As the nation prepares to bid farewell to one of its most formidable political figures, the discussions and evaluations of his impactful career and its varied legacies continue to resonate throughout the country and beyond.