Dick Cheney 1941–2025

Cheney's critics on his death: "Rest in hell"

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney's critics are questioning the tributes he received after his death on Tuesday, reports Newsweek.

"His career caused catastrophic damage to freedom, peace and the rule of law," the New York Libertarian Party wrote in a statement, adding:

"While we send our condolences to his family, history demands a frank account of the atrocities committed during his tenure."

On X, many commentators mention the invasion of Iraq and the torture and abuses during the "war on terror." Independent journalist Caitlin Johnstone writes:

"Cheney died far too old and far too free. [...] The damage he caused continues to grow."

Eman Abdelhadi of the left-wing newspaper In These Times writes:

"Rest in hell Dick Cheney. Your legacy is dead." 

Former Vice President Dick Cheney is dead

American Republican Dick Cheney has died at the age of 84. This is reported by American media, citing a statement from the family.

Cheney was vice president from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. He was previously Secretary of Defense in the administration of George Bush Sr.

Cheney was the main architect behind the US "war on terror", and has been described as one of the most powerful and controversial vice presidents in modern times.

Privately, Cheney suffered from cardiovascular disease for most of his adult life, survived several heart attacks and underwent a heart transplant in 2012.

"The most influential vice president in modern times"

Dick Cheney was one of the most influential vice presidents in the United States in modern times, writes CNN after the announcement of Cheney's death on Tuesday.

“He was the architect of the ‘war on terror’ and helped lead the country into the disastrous Iraq War, on false assumptions,” the channel writes in a rune.

Although Cheney was a staunch conservative, he was in recent years sharply critical of Donald Trump, whom he called “a coward.”

USA Today also highlights Cheney’s opposition to Trump and points out that he voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the last election. The newspaper also highlights a quote in which Chaney said in connection with the election that “no person posed a greater threat to the republic than Trump.”

AP writes that Cheney, who suffered from heart problems and had survived five heart attacks, towards the end of his life considered himself living on borrowed time. In 2013, he said that he “woke up every morning, with a smile on his face, happy to experience another day.”

Cheney was vice president under George W Bush and secretary of defense under his father George Bush. He was 84 years old.