Former Vice President Dick Cheney died on Monday, November 3, 2025, at age 84, surrounded by family members. His passing came after complications from pneumonia combined with cardiac and vascular disease, conditions that had challenged the influential Republican statesman for decades.
The businessman and politician who served as vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2008 had survived five heart attacks, multiple surgeries and a heart transplant during his lifetime. His death marks the end of a complicated legacy that saw him become one of the most powerful vice presidents in American history, particularly through his instrumental role in pushing the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
In a statement following his death, Bush praised his former partner in leadership, calling Cheney someone who was “the one I needed” as a vice president and describing him as “a calm and steady presence in the White House amid great national challenges.” The former president emphasized the crucial role Cheney played during the administration’s response to September 11 and subsequent national security challenges.
Funeral services for Cheney have been set for 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 20, at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. The location where he will be buried had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday, November 7. Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941 and grew up in Wyoming, where he later retired after decades of public service.
The question of whether Cheney will lie in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol remains unclear. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated Republican leadership staff was reviewing protocol regarding this possibility. Those who receive state funerals typically lie in state at the Capitol, allowing mourners to pay their respects.
As of Friday, November 7, President Donald Trump had not issued a public comment about Cheney’s death or a national proclamation to honor the former vice president. The White House Press Office confirmed that flags at the White House had been lowered in Cheney’s memory, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noting the action was taken “in accordance with statutory law.” Federal law requires the American flag to fly at half-staff from the day a former vice president dies until the day of interment.
The silence from Trump reflects the fractured relationship between the two Republicans. Cheney became a vocal critic of Trump in recent years, particularly after the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. In a 2022 campaign advertisement supporting his daughter Liz Cheney’s reelection bid, the elder Cheney declared: “In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump. He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He is a coward.”
Cheney took the unprecedented step of endorsing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election over Trump, a decision that effectively severed his remaining ties with the MAGA-dominated Republican Party. Trump responded by dismissing Cheney as an “irrelevant RINO.”
The response from Republican politicians to Cheney’s death has been notably muted. Texas Senator John Cornyn, who in 2009 praised Cheney as a thoughtful critic and stated he would be proud to appear with him anywhere, declined to comment on the former vice president’s passing through his office. Many other Texas Republicans in Congress remained silent, including representatives from Houston and other major cities.
Cheney served in numerous high-ranking positions throughout his political career, including as White House chief of staff for President Gerald Ford, as a Wyoming representative in the House, and as defense secretary under President George H.W. Bush. His time as vice president coincided with the September 11 attacks and subsequent War on Terror, during which he championed efforts to broaden presidential authority and establish the unitary executive theory.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, despite ordering flags lowered for various occasions including fallen first responders and even pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, had not publicly commented on Cheney’s death or issued his own proclamation as of November 6. He had previously ordered flags lowered for former President Jimmy Carter and former Senator Bob Graham, both Democrats.
Cheney is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lynne, and their daughters Mary and Liz. His family described him in their statement as “a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country.” The family noted his dedication to public service spanned multiple decades and presidential administrations, leaving an indelible mark on American politics and foreign policy that continues to generate debate and discussion.