Richard B. Cheney, a significant figure in American politics, has passed away, marking the end of an era that influenced both U.S. and global affairs from the Nixon administration through the early 21st century. Cheney began his political career in his late twenties, taking on various mid-level roles during the Nixon administration. His mentor was Donald Rumsfeld, who later became chief of staff under President Gerald Ford after Nixon's resignation. When Rumsfeld was appointed Secretary of Defense in 1975, Cheney, at just 34 years old, succeeded him as chief of staff.

Cheney and Rumsfeld would later play pivotal roles in the George W. Bush administration, with Cheney serving as vice president and Rumsfeld returning to the Pentagon. The Nixon and Ford administrations were characterized by influential figures who shaped Republican politics for decades, including George Shultz, George H.W. Bush, and James A. Baker III. Baker, now 95, was a central figure in American political power for 12 years, earning the title of "The Man Who Ran Washington."

After Ford's defeat in 1976, Cheney was elected to Congress from Wyoming and quickly ascended the ranks of Republican leadership, positioning himself as a potential future Speaker. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush appointed him Secretary of Defense, where he navigated the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. By 2000, Cheney's extensive experience in presidential politics led Bush Jr. to appoint him to lead the search for a vice-presidential nominee. Ultimately, Cheney became the vice president, known for wielding significant power, partly because he did not seek the presidency himself.

This unique position allowed Cheney to pursue his agenda without the constraints of future political ambitions. His long tenure near the presidency likely influenced his response to the September 11 attacks. Cheney advocated for expansive executive power, which was both legislatively granted through measures like the PATRIOT Act and asserted through various actions. He was a key proponent of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and played a significant role in expanding domestic surveillance.

The Bush administration's "war on terror" included controversial practices such as the capture and rendition of suspected terrorists to secret sites for interrogation. Cheney defended what he termed "enhanced interrogation techniques," which many critics labeled as torture. Despite the lack of sympathy for those subjected to these practices, the moral implications of such actions have lingered.

Cheney lived to see the consequences of unchecked power, particularly as it was wielded by others. During and after his vice presidency, he dismissed concerns about excessive executive power, arguing that his administration would use its enhanced powers judiciously to protect American security. However, he may have privately worried about the implications of future administrations, particularly the Obama administration, and did not foresee the challenges posed by the Trump administration.

Trump's campaign marked a significant departure from the Bush-Cheney legacy, especially regarding the Iraq War and what he termed "endless wars." This shift resonated with Republican voters, leading to a decline in Cheney's standing within the party. While the Bush family distanced itself from Trump, Cheney became a vocal critic, joining his daughter, Liz Cheney, in denouncing Trump as unfit for the presidency. He viewed Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol attack as abuses of power.

In a notable legal case, the Trump administration sought to convince the Supreme Court that the president could impose tariffs unilaterally, a stance that would have appealed to Cheney had it been presented by a responsible administration. Cheney's career began during a time when presidential powers were being curtailed post-Vietnam and Watergate. He worked to restore those powers but ultimately lived to see the complexities and potential regrets of that pursuit.