Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
Following the recent passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney, attention has been drawn to his profound influence on his daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney, particularly in her staunch opposition to Donald Trump. The elder Cheney, who died on Monday evening at 84, was a pivotal figure in shaping his daughter’s “country over party” stance, which ultimately led to her ousting from Republican leadership and Congress. Their unified front against Trump, stemming from the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, culminated in Dick Cheney’s endorsement of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
The Jan. 6 Stance
One year after the January 6 Capitol insurrection, on January 6, 2022, Dick Cheney joined his daughter, then-Rep. Liz Cheney, on the House floor to commemorate the anniversary. They were reportedly the only Republicans present, a sight that stunned the former vice president. According to Liz Cheney’s 2023 memoir, her father remarked on the stark terms of the shift within the Republican Party.
Later that day, Dick Cheney publicly criticized Republican leadership for what he perceived as a quick reversal and capitulation to Trump. He stated that it did not resemble the leadership he knew during his decade in Congress. Liz Cheney has consistently attributed her ability to stand up to Trump to her father’s influence, saying he raised her to have the “courage of her convictions.”
A Long Career in Public Service
Dick Cheney’s political career spanned decades, beginning after he was inspired by a 1963 speech by President John F. Kennedy. He served as the youngest White House chief of staff to President Gerald R. Ford, a congressman from Wyoming, and defense secretary under President George H. W. Bush.
As Vice President to George W. Bush, Cheney became a powerful and often controversial figure, particularly for his role in the “war on terror” and the 2003 Iraq War. Despite criticism, he maintained he had “no regrets” about policies like “enhanced interrogation.” After leaving office, he co-authored a memoir with Liz Cheney, titled Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America, where he emphasized the importance of doing “what’s right for the nation.”
Breaking with Trump
While Dick Cheney publicly endorsed Trump in May 2016, he privately held reservations about Trump’s experience, temperament, and foreign policy instincts. Early in Trump’s first administration, Cheney reportedly expressed alarm over the perceived chaos and Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Cheneys became increasingly concerned after Trump refused to accept his 2020 election loss. On New Year’s Day 2021, Dick Cheney reportedly told his daughter to “Defend the republic, daughter,” a sentiment she vowed to uphold. He also played a role in organizing a letter signed by all 10 former defense secretaries, which affirmed the election results and warned against military intervention.
Following Trump’s speech on the Ellipse on January 6, 2021, where he targeted “the Liz Cheneys of the world,” Dick Cheney called his daughter to warn her of potential danger. A week later, Liz Cheney was one of 10 House Republicans to vote to impeach Trump over the Capitol attack, a decision that eventually led to her ousting as GOP conference chair in May 2021.
Ostracized from House Republican leadership, Liz Cheney accepted an invitation from then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve as vice chair of the House January 6 committee. Dick Cheney expressed his full support for his daughter’s decision, stating he was “heartbroken about what was happening in our country.”
Endorsing a Democrat
Liz Cheney’s role on the January 6 committee further solidified her opposition to Trump, who vowed revenge and actively campaigned against her during her 2022 primary election. In response, Dick Cheney appeared in a blunt political ad, calling Trump a “coward” and asserting that Trump “lost his election and he lost big.”
After her defeat, Liz Cheney vowed to prevent Trump from returning to the Oval Office. In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, with Trump as the Republican nominee against Vice President Kamala Harris, Dick Cheney made the notable decision to endorse Harris. In a September statement, he emphasized the duty to “put country above partisanship.”
Liz Cheney further amplified this stance, appearing at rallies with Harris and stating she was “proudly casting my vote for Kamala Harris,” despite having never previously voted for a Democrat. Vice President Harris publicly acknowledged and thanked Dick Cheney for his significant endorsement.
A Legacy of Conviction
Dick Cheney’s legacy is marked not only by his extensive career in conservative politics but also by his later-life decision to prioritize democratic principles over party loyalty, a conviction he demonstrably instilled in his daughter, Liz Cheney.
