Former Vice President Dick Cheney has announced he will be supporting Democrat candidate Kamala Harris rather than Donald Trump in November’s US election.
Trump, the Republican nominee, and Ms Harris are locked in a tight race for the White House and will face off in a crunch live TV debate next week.
Some Republicans who are upset with Trump’s control over the GOP and his actions have recently thrown support behind Harris, including dozens of former staffers of former Presidents George HW Bush and George W Bush, the latter whom Mr Cheney served as Vice President.
Dick Cheney served as vice president under Republican President George W Bush from 2001 till 2009.
The 83-year-old has made few if any public appearances over the past year or more but has dealt with heart issues since his 40s and underwent a heart transplant in 2012.
He has faced criticism over the years from human rights groups as he played a large role in planning the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which produced a heavy civilian death toll and human rights abuses.
In the case of Iraq, the war was based on claims that Saddam Hussein’s government had weapons of mass destruction – and proof of this claim was never found.
His daughter, Liz Cheney, lawyer and former congresswoman, has previously endorsed Ms Harris.
Both Liz and Dick Cheney have been outspoken critics of former President Donald Trump, notably during the former’s failed re-election campaign in 2022.
Mr Cheney put out a statement confirming his endorsement, which read almost entirely as opposition to Trump rather than support of Harris.
He said “in our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.”
Mr Cheney continued: “He can never be trusted with power again.
“As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution.
“That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.”
The acronym stands for “Republican in name only.”
Asked for comment, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said: “Who is Liz Cheney?”
The campaign also pointed to a comment Ms Cheney posted online four years ago in which she called Ms Harris a “radical liberal.”
Jen O’Malley Dillon, the Democrat nominee’s campaign chair, released a statement saying: “The Vice President is proud to have the support of Vice President Cheney, and deeply respects his courage to put country over party.”
Mr Cheney’s statement on Friday was similar to a 2022 campaign ad for his daughter as she sought a fourth term as Wyoming’s lone congresswoman.
The ad did not help his daughter in the deep-red state that once held the Cheney family dear but is now thoroughly in Trump’s corner.
By a more than 2-to-1 margin, Ms Cheney lost her Republican primary to Trump-endorsed attorney Harriet Hageman.
Dick Cheney has been friends with Democrats over the years but never supported one for president.
Both he and his daughter backed Trump in 2016, but Ms Cheney criticized Trump’s foreign policy decisions.
In response, Trump criticized the “endless wars” in Afghanistan and Iraq launched when Dick Cheney was vice president.
It’s unclear if either Cheney supported Trump in 2020.
Meanwhile, their home state of Wyoming delivered Trump his widest margin of victory that year.
By 2021, Ms Cheney’s vote to impeach Trump and her investigation into him for the 2021 US Capitol riot turned Trump and most of the GOP against her.
Cheney ally Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a Republican Trump critic endorsed Biden earlier this year and spoke in support of Harris at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Several other top Republicans have come out in support of Harris while some, including Sen. Mitt Romney and former Vice President Mike Pence, who served alongside Trump, say they won’t be voting for the former President.
Of them only Romney, who is not seeking re-election, is still in office.
Cheney’s Endorsement: A Turning Point for the GOP?
Cheney’s endorsement of Harris is a significant moment in the 2024 presidential election. It comes as Trump continues to be a polarizing figure within the Republican Party. Cheney’s decision to support Harris could be a sign that more Republicans are willing to break with Trump and support a different candidate.
The 2024 Election: A Battle for Democracy
The 2024 election is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the United States. The outcome of the election could have a significant impact on the future of American democracy. With the nation increasingly divided, the stakes are high for both candidates.
A Legacy of Service and Controversy
Dick Cheney has had a long and controversial career in American politics. He served as the 46th vice president of the United States under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. He was a key figure in the Bush administration’s decision to invade Iraq in 2003.
Cheney is also known for his staunch support of the Republican Party. He has been a vocal critic of the Democratic Party and has been a strong supporter of conservative policies.
The Cheney Family: A Legacy of Public Service
The Cheney family has a long history of public service. Dick Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, is a former Republican member of Congress from Wyoming. She served on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Both Dick and Liz Cheney have been outspoken critics of Donald Trump and have been vocal in their support for American democracy.
A Nation Divided
The United States is facing a period of deep political polarization. The two major political parties are increasingly divided on a range of issues, including the role of government, the economy, and social values. This divide has made it difficult for the country to address important challenges.
The Road Ahead
The 2024 presidential election will be a test of the American political system. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on the future of the United States. It remains to be seen whether the country can overcome its divisions and move forward together.
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