Former Vice President Dick Cheney, a lifelong Republican, has announced that he will be voting for Kamala Harris for president. This endorsement comes as Cheney and his daughter Liz have been vocal critics of former President Donald Trump. Cheney’s statement focused on opposition to Trump rather than support for Harris, emphasizing the importance of putting country above partisanship. Trump responded by calling Cheney and his daughter “irrelevant RINOs” on his Truth Social platform.
Cheney’s endorsement of Harris has been met with both criticism and support. Harris’ campaign chair, Jen O’Malley Dillon, expressed gratitude for Cheney’s endorsement, recognizing his courage to put country over party. Cheney, 83, has faced health issues in recent years and has made few public appearances. This move marks a significant departure from his previous support for Trump, as both Cheneys backed Trump in 2016 but have since distanced themselves due to disagreements over foreign policy and Trump’s actions post-election.
Dick Cheney’s support for Harris aligns with his daughter Liz Cheney’s recent endorsement of the vice president. Liz Cheney, a congresswoman from Wyoming, lost her Republican primary to a Trump-endorsed candidate in a deep-red state. The Cheney family’s once-strong ties to Wyoming have been strained by their opposition to Trump and his policies. Trump’s response to the Cheney family’s endorsements has been dismissive, referring to them as irrelevant RINOs and questioning Liz Cheney’s loyalty to the Republican party.
Despite facing backlash from the GOP, the Cheneys have remained steadfast in their opposition to Trump. Other top Republicans, including Senator Mitt Romney and former Vice President Mike Pence, have also distanced themselves from Trump and expressed support for Harris. Cheney ally Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, a vocal Trump critic, endorsed Biden in the 2020 election and spoke in support of Harris at the Democratic National Convention. These endorsements highlight a growing divide within the Republican party over Trump’s influence and the direction of the party moving forward.
The Cheneys’ decision to support Harris reflects a broader trend within the Republican party of prominent figures breaking ranks with Trump. While some Republicans have chosen to support Harris or distance themselves from Trump, others, like Romney, have opted to stay out of the presidential race altogether. The upcoming election will test the strength of Trump’s hold on the Republican party and the willingness of party members to prioritize country over loyalty to a single individual. Ultimately, Cheney’s endorsement of Harris may signal a larger shift within the Republican party towards a more moderate and bipartisan approach to politics.
