Former Vice President Dick Cheney has publicly declared his intention to vote for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming November election. In a striking departure from his Republican roots, Cheney condemned former President Donald Trump, stating that he poses an unprecedented threat to American democracy.
In a statement, Cheney asserted, “In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.” He criticized Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 election through deceit and violence, emphasizing that Trump “can never be trusted with power again.” Cheney framed his decision as an act of patriotism, putting the country above party affiliation.
Cheney’s support for Harris was confirmed earlier by his daughter, former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney, during a speech at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Texas. Liz Cheney, who has also endorsed Harris, highlighted the danger she believes Trump represents. She described Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, as “misogynistic pigs” and warned that voting for them would be enabling a dangerous disregard for democratic principles.
Trump responded via his social media platform, dismissing Dick Cheney as an “irrelevant RINO” (Republican in name only) and disparaging both Cheney and his daughter.
Dick Cheney’s decision marks a significant shift for the former vice president, who served under President George W. Bush and held prominent positions within the Republican Party. His criticism of Trump has been consistent since the January 6 Capitol attack, and his recent statements further underscore his disapproval of Trump’s actions and influence.
Liz Cheney, who lost her congressional seat to a Trump-backed challenger after her vocal opposition to the former president, has continued to campaign against Trump’s return to power. She has also endorsed Democratic Rep. Colin Allred’s campaign to unseat Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.
Despite her policy differences with Harris, Liz Cheney emphasized the importance of defending democracy and the Constitution, urging voters to prioritize these values over partisan loyalty.