Dick Cheney dead: Reactions reflect former vice president’s status as lightning rod

[ Dick Cheney, former vice president, dies at 84 ]

In a statement, George W. Bush said that Cheney’s death “is a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends.”

“Dick was a calm and steady presence in the White House amid great national challenges,” Bush added. “I counted on him for his honest, forthright counsel, and he never failed to give his best. He held to his convictions and prioritized the freedom and security of the American people. For those two terms in office, and throughout his remarkable career, Dick Cheney’s service always reflected credit on the country he loved.”

U.S. Sen. Jon Husted of Ohio said that Cheney had an “unwavering commitment.”

[ Dick Cheney dead: Former vice president held many roles in government ]

“Tina and I send our condolences on the news of the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney,” Husted posted on X. “He devoted much of his life to serving the United States — from Congress to the Pentagon to the White House. He had an unwavering commitment to our nation’s security, strength, and founding values.”

Former U.S. Rep. George Santos of New York was less charitable.

“Dick Cheney will meet his maker and will have lots of explaining to do,” Santos posted on X. “I wish his family well all things considered, but I haven’t and won’t ever shed a tear for a war criminal of his ilk.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia called Cheney “a giant in American politics.”

“Dick Cheney was a giant in American politics, and his impact will be felt for decades,” Collins wrote on X. “My condolences to the Cheney family as we remember the legacy of our 46th Vice President.”

U.S. Rep Steve Womack of Arkansas said his prayers were with Cheney’s family.

“Dick Cheney was a dedicated public servant and committed to the safety and security of his fellow Americans,” Womack wrote on X. “I first met him when he visited my battalion (Gunslingers) deployed to the Sinai, Egypt in 2002, and had the opportunity to reconnect with him years later fishing for cutthroat trout on the Snake River.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing on Tuesday that President Donald Trump was “aware” of Cheney’s death.

Around midday on Tuesday, the White House said flags would fly at half-staff to honor Cheney.

Progressive commentator Mehdi Hasan wrote on X that Cheney “should have died in The Hague.”

“Rest in hell Dick Cheney,” wrote Eman Abdelhadi, a columnist for In These Times. “Your legacy is death.”

But many of Cheney’s political adversaries paid tribute.

“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,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted. “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.”

Former President Bill Clinton said that Cheney was “guided by a deep belief that he was doing what was right for America.”

“Though we often disagreed, I always respected his dedication to our country and his unwavering sense of duty,” Clinton posted on X.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she admired Cheney, a fellow Republican, for his integrity and “his love of his country.”

“Most of all, I will remember Dick Cheney as a mentor and a friend,” Rice wrote on X. “I will remember his toughness but also his sense of humor. He was indefatigable in his determination to defend this country and patriotic to his core.