Former VP Dick Cheney Is Dead at 84

Dick Cheney, widely seen as the most powerful vice president in US history, died Monday night at age 84, report CNN and USA Today. His family confirmed the news in a statement, attributing his death to "complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease," per the New York Post. Cheney had battled heart disease for decades and received a heart transplant in 2012.

• Cheney served as vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, emerging as one of Washington's most influential and divisive figures as he helped shape US policy after the 9/11 attacks. As the chief architect of America's "war on terror," he played a central role in the decisions that led to the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

• Cheney's legacy is also tied to his aggressive national security policies, including the use of enhanced interrogation techniques and the detention of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay—practices that drew sharp criticism at home and abroad. Cheney remained unapologetic, insisting his actions were necessary to protect the country in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
• The hardline conservative notably split with his own party later in life over its support of Donald Trump and cast his last presidential vote for Kamala Harris. "We have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution," Cheney said at the time, per the New York Times.
• Cheney is survived by his wife, Lynne, daughters Liz (the former congresswoman) and Mary, and seven grandchildren.