Dick Cheney Endorses Kamala Harris, Breaking Party Lines

Republican former Vice President Dick Cheney announced he will vote for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the upcoming U.S. elections, aligning with his daughter, Liz Cheney, who also opposes Donald Trump. Their stance exemplifies a trend of Republican dissent against Trump's control of the party.

Republican former Vice President Dick Cheney made waves on Friday when he declared his intention to vote for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris over Republican former President Donald Trump in the Nov. 5 U.S. elections, echoing a similar declaration by his daughter Liz Cheney earlier this week.

The announcement adds to the intensifying battle between Trump and Harris, who are neck-and-neck in the polls as they prepare for an upcoming debate. A faction of Republicans, disillusioned with Trump's grip on their party and his controversial actions, are backing Harris. This group includes numerous former aides of past Republican Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Dick Cheney, who was vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, has faced historical criticism for his role in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, which led to significant civilian casualties and human rights violations. His daughter, former congresswoman Liz Cheney, has also been an outspoken critic of Trump, particularly in relation to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot perpetrated by Trump supporters.

Cheney stated on Friday, "In our nation's 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump. As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris." The Harris campaign lauded the Cheneys' support, describing it as part of "a growing movement of Republicans putting country over party."

In response, Trump dismissed the Cheneys on social media, branding them "irrelevant RINOs," a term he uses for Republicans he deems insufficiently loyal to him, which stands for "Republicans in Name Only."

(With inputs from agencies.)