WASHINGTON – Then-Rep. Adam Schiff didn't recognize who was standing next to then-Rep. Liz Cheney as the two chatted on the House floor aftera moment of silence on the first anniversaryof theCapitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021.
Lawmakers were still wearing masks because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schiff, a California Democrat, who investigated the Capitol riot with Cheney, a Wyoming Republican, said she eventually introduced the "older gentleman" standing nearby: her father, Dick Cheney.
"I turned and said, 'I'm sorry, Mr. Vice President, I didn't recognize you with the mask!'" Schiff, a former House member who is now in the Senate, told USA TODAY. "I thought he was another House member. I'm sure I shook his hand and told him that I appreciated his being there."
More:Dick Cheney, powerful VP who pushed Iraq invasion, dies at 84.
Dick Cheney, vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, has died. He was considered one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history.See his political career in photos, including here at a news conference about the war appropriations bill in the Rose Garden of the White House on March 3, 2007. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Congressmen Robert Michel R-Illinois,(left) and Dick Cheney R-Wyoming, (right), as they share a laugh with President Ronald Reagan on March 22, 1988 as he responds to a reporter who asked why he was on Capitol Hill. Reagan's response, after a pause, was that he was trying to think of an answer to the question. The president's visit to Capitol Hill was for talks on the possibility of resuming U.S. aid to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dick Cheney he appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee, on March 14, 1989, on the first day of hearings on his nomination for Defense secretary, on Capitol Hill, in Washington, DC." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President George H.W. Bush (left) confers with Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney on July 12, 1990, during a cabinet meeting." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell during a news conference in Washington, DC, on Dec. 4, 1992, on the situation in Somalia." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Texas Gov. George W. Bush (right) and former Defense Secretary Dick Cheney (left) talk with the media before speeding away in a farm utility vehicle following a news conference at Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, July 3, 2000. Bush, then a candidate for president, invited Cheney to the ranch to discuss the vice presidential selection process." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Texas Gov. George W. Bush celebrates his nomination to be the GOP presidential candidate with wife, Laura, Vice Presidential candidate Dick Cheney, and his wife, Lynne, in Philadelphia on Aug. 3, 2000." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President Dick Cheney is sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Rehnquist during the inauguration ceremony on Jan. 20, 2001. His daughter, Elizabeth Perry, center, and wife, Lynne, look on." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President George W. Bush with Vice President Cheney and senior staff in the president's Emergency Operations Center. The National Archives released a trove of photographs of Bush and Cheney in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The photos, taken by Cheney's staff photographer, depict the Bush administration responding to the tragedy. Most of the photos are taken from inside the president's Emergency Operations Center, including images of Bush's staff watching the president address the nation following the attacks. The emergency operations center is located underneath the White House." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President George W. Bush walks with Vice President Dick Cheney along the colonnade at the White House, Oct. 29, 2003, in Washington, DC." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
President George W. Bush (center), Vice President Dick Cheney (second from left), Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (second from the right), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers (right) and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice (left) walk out to address reporters on Aug. 23, 2004, at Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch. The group was at the ranch for Bush's Defense Policy and Program Teams meeting held annually at the ranch." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President Dick Cheney, accompanied by his wife Lynn, daughter Elizabeth and three of her four children, and daughter Mary, who is his campaign manager, traveled by bus through eastern Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 25, 2004." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington on Jan. 4, 2006." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (left) is joined on stage by President George W. Bush (second from left), Vice President Dick Cheney (second from right) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace (right) during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review in honor of the Secretary of Defense on Dec. 15, 2006, at the Pentagon." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former Vice President Dick Cheney at his home in McLean, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2011." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former vice-president Dick Cheney at his home outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, during an exclusive interview with USA TODAY on Oct. 14, 2013." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former Vice-President of the United States Dick Cheney and his daughter, Liz Cheney, during a USA TODAY interview at his home in Mclean, Va. on Aug. 29, 2015." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former Vice President Dick Cheney (fourth from left), with his wife, Lynne Cheney (fourth from right) and their grandchildren look at the bust of the former vice president after it was unveiled at Emancipation Hall inside the U.S. Capitol Dec. 3, 2015, in Washington, DC. The bust is an honor that is afforded to all vice presidents." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, the father of former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, stands with former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, for a ceremonial swearing-in and photo-op during the opening session of the 115th Congress, on Jan. 3, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former Vice President Dick Cheney (center) greets former President Barack Obama during the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington, DC." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, father of former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming), listens to his daughter's remarks during a primary night event Aug. 16, 2022 in Jackson, Wyoming. Rep. Cheney conceded her loss in the Wyoming primary election." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See how Dick Cheney shaped war, power and the White House
Dick Cheney, vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, has died. He was considered one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history.See his political career in photos, including here at a news conference about the war appropriations bill in the Rose Garden of the White House on March 3, 2007.
The scene might have prompted a second or even third look from anyone who lived throughPresident George W. Bush's administration: Democrats approached their longtime Republican adversary to offer their thanks and best wishes.
"The human side of Dick, which was sometimes well hidden, was on display," Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, who was then the House majority leader, told USA TODAY.
Pelosi: Cheney a 'patriotic American'
Cheney was more than just another former House member. And he wasn't always appreciated by Democrats.
Decadesbefore his death Nov. 3 at 84, Cheney was a top GOP bogeyman as Bush's vice president foradvocating the war in Iraq, fordefending the harsh interrogation of terroristsand forexpanding domestic surveillanceafter the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But in his later years, Democrats praised Cheney for hisopposition to President Donald Trumpbecause of the Jan. 6 riot.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, whobecame House speakerduring the Bush administration in part because of the unpopularity of the Iraq war, had tangled repeatedly with Cheney when he was vice president. She called the Iraq war "a war of choice" and a "grotesque mistake." But she also appointed Liz Cheney to thecommittee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack. Pelosi shook Dick Cheney's hand after leading the House in a moment of silence for the riot.
"Dick Cheney was a patriotic American who loved his country," Pelosisaid in a social media post Nov. 4."While we strongly disagreed on most policy issues, his patriotism was clear when he returned to the House Floor to commemorate the first anniversary of January 6th."
Cheney and Democrats clashed over Iraq before uniting against Trump
Cheney had helped direct the Persian Gulf War as Defense secretary under President George H.W. Bush. After Sept. 11, Cheney became the architect of the war plans in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Heembraced the nickname Darth Vaderbecause of his confidence in positions others heavily criticized. One clash arose in February 2007, whenCheney told ABC Newsthat Pelosi's attempts to block an additional surge of troops into Iraq would "validate the al Qaeda strategy."
"I think it would be a mistake for the country," Cheney said.
Pelosi responded that critics have to challenge the president and said Cheney's reference to al Qaeda was"beneath the dignity of the sacrifice of our troops."
Cheney kept a relatively lower public profile after leaving office in 2009, as is typical of former presidents and vice presidents. He offered commentary on politics and foreign affairs, and wrote several books about politics and his health, after getting a heart transplant following hisfifth heart attack. Like many in his party, Cheneyendorsed Trumpas the top of the Republican ticket in 2016.
But Cheney's public reputation turned when he criticized Trump for the Jan. 6 riot. He later endorsed Democratic 2024 presidential nomineeKamala Harris, then the incumbent vice president, in her campaign against Trump.
"There has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic thanDonald Trump,"Cheney said at the time.
Liz Cheney was one of 10 House Republicanswho voted to impeach Trump over Jan. 6. He was acquitted in a Senate trial.She called Trump "clearly unfit"for the presidency and joined the panel inurging the Justice Department to prosecute Trump for Jan. 6.
"We all saw then how proud Vice President Cheney was to see his daughter, Liz, follow in her father's footsteps to serve in the House with courage and integrity,"Pelosi said in her social media post. "May it be a comfort to Lynne, Liz and Mary that so many are praying for them at this sad time."
Raskin found Cheney's 'dramatic' break from Trump 'encouraging'
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, who also served on the Jan. 6 committee and led the second impeachment of Trump, said Dick Cheney personified bipartisan opposition to the Capitol attack.
"Dick Cheney had always been seen as such a bulwark and mastermind of conservative Republican politics," Raskin told USA TODAY. "It was a dramatic and encouraging thing to see him break so sharply fromDonald Trump."
As a 27-year professor of constitutional law, Raskin had marched against the Iraq war and vehemently opposed Dick Cheney's policies during that period. Raskin said Cheney was a champion of the executive branch and tried to stretch the limits of presidential power – while obeying the rule of law.
"For all of our profound differences with Dick Cheney, he was not someone who said the Constitution and the rule of law didn't matter," Raskin said. "He just had a different interpretation of what they meant."
At one point in the Jan. 6 investigation,Raskin defended fellow committee member Liz Cheneyon the House floor against an oral attack by a fellow Republican. Dick Cheney later called to thank him.
"It was very much a paternal gesture," Raskin said. "It reinforced for me the tender feelings."
Hoyer: Cheney was 'no softie' but displayed 'human side' over Jan. 6
Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat when the Jan. 6 anniversary memorial was held, said he thanked Cheney for personifying the bipartisan view that the fatal riot in the U.S. Capitol should never be repeated. Hoyer had served with Cheney in the House during the 1980s and knew the second-ranking Republican as a partisan conservative who was "very, very tough."
"Because he was no softie, his statement was even stronger that, 'Yes, I believe in a strong, centralized president, but I don't believe in insurrection. I don't believe in treason. I don't believe in undermining the Constitution,'" Hoyer said.
Hoyer said he had strongly supported Liz Cheney in standing up to the president, despite losing her House leadership position and later her reelection campaign to aGOP primary challenger who was backed by Trump− because of the Jan. 6 investigation.
"She called upon her fellow Republicans to show the same kind of courage when the emperor had no clothes, to say the emperor had no clothes, with the knowledge that the emperor was very powerful and could respond very negatively," Hoyer said. "In fact, he did, sadly."
Cheney becomes GOP outcast over Jan. 6
Dick and Liz Cheney were the only two Republicans to attend the moment of silence on the 2022 anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack.
"I am deeply disappointed at the failure of many members of my party to recognize the grave nature of the January 6 attacks and the ongoing threat to our nation," Dick Cheney said in a statement at the time.
"The importance of January 6th as an historic event cannot be overstated," Cheney added. "I was honored and proud to join my daughter on the House floor to recognize this anniversary, to commend the heroic actions of law enforcement that day, and to reaffirm our dedication to the Constitution."
Trump was a longtime critic of Bush and Cheney, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also faced federal and state criminal charges over his role in Jan. 6, though the cases were either dropped or remain on hold while Trump is in the White House.
The current president has not made any public comments about Cheney since his death. But he made his views known about Cheneyin a social media postin September 2024 after the former GOP vice president once despised by Democrats crossed party lines to endorse Harris, blasting him as "irrelevant" and a "Republican in name only."
"He's the King of Endless, Nonsensical Wars, wasting Lives and Trillions of Dollars, just like Comrade Kamala Harris," Trump wrote.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Cheney fought Democrats over Iraq before joining them against Trump
