Former U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney, a lifelong Republican, has publicly declared his intention to vote for Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November presidential election. Cheney, who served as Vice-President under George W. Bush and is often regarded as a powerful and influential figure within the Republican Party, issued a stern rebuke of the current Republican candidate, Donald Trump.
In his statement, Cheney expressed deep concern over Trump’s impact on American democracy, stating, “There has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.” Cheney’s disapproval of Trump is not new; however, his endorsement of a Democrat, particularly someone as high-profile as Vice-President Harris, marks a significant departure from his long-standing Republican affiliations.
Cheney’s criticism of Trump is rooted in the former President’s actions following the 2020 election, where Trump and his supporters falsely claimed that the election was stolen. Cheney emphasized, “He [Trump] tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He can never be trusted with power again.” He further highlighted the importance of prioritizing the country’s welfare over party loyalty, stating, “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.”
This endorsement adds Cheney to a growing list of prominent Republicans who have distanced themselves from Trump’s candidacy. Among them is his daughter, Liz Cheney, a former Republican lawmaker and outspoken critic of Trump. Liz Cheney, who played a significant role on the House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots, was one of the few Republicans who voted to impeach Trump following the insurrection. Her stance on Trump has come at a personal cost, as she lost her congressional seat in 2022 to a Trump-backed candidate.
Liz Cheney had previously hinted at her father’s support for Harris, telling an audience in Texas that he planned to back the Democratic nominee. Her father’s public endorsement now further cements their shared stance against Trump’s influence within the Republican Party.
The Harris campaign has welcomed Cheney’s support, with campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon stating, “The vice-president is proud to have the support of Vice-President Cheney, and deeply respects his courage to put country over party.” Cheney’s endorsement is seen as a symbolic gesture that underscores the broader concerns within some Republican circles about Trump’s potential return to power.
Predictably, Trump did not take kindly to Cheney’s endorsement of Harris. On social media, Trump dismissed Cheney as an “irrelevant RINO” – an acronym for “Republican in name only” – and labeled him the “King of Endless, Nonsensical Wars,” a reference to Cheney’s prominent role in the Iraq War during his vice-presidency.
Cheney’s decision to support Harris reflects a growing divide within the Republican Party, where traditional conservative values are increasingly clashing with Trump’s brand of populism. While some Republicans have chosen to rally behind Trump, others, like the Cheneys, are choosing to take a stand in what they see as a defense of American democratic principles.
As the 2024 presidential race intensifies, Cheney’s endorsement may not sway a large number of Republican voters, but it serves as a potent reminder of the tensions that continue to shape the future of the GOP. Whether Cheney’s stance will inspire other prominent Republicans to follow suit remains to be seen, but his decision to cross party lines for the sake of the republic will undoubtedly be a notable moment in this election cycle.
