Dick Cheney, the former vice-president who died recently, fundamentally transformed the powers of the US presidency post-9/11. Today, Donald Trump is utilizing the strategies Cheney developed to further his own political agenda, despite their personal disagreements about the Republican Party's direction.
Cheney's extensive government experience allowed him to refine theories of presidential authority throughout the Nixon, Ford, and Bush administrations. Following the trauma of the 9/11 attacks, Cheney aided George W. Bush in reshaping executive power to engage effectively in the War on Terror, emphasizing the need for decisive government actions.
Critics note that Trump’s enhanced use of presidential power parallels Cheney's approach, especially in the military domain. Trump's administration has also justified covert operations using vague national emergency declarations, though unlike the critical unity felt in the aftermath of 9/11, the current public sentiment is more fragmented.
Cheney himself, even during his later years, expressed serious concerns regarding Trump's impact on the nation, famously calling Trump a greater threat to our republic than any previous figure. Trump's response has often included derogatory remarks about Cheney's foreign policy strategies, reflecting a tumultuous relationship that belies their shared reliance on enhanced executive authority.
In particular, Trump's pursuit of military action abroad often resembles Cheney's strategies, utilizing justifications for actions that avoid rigorous Congressional oversight. His administration's moves to label drug traffickers as combatants and aggressive actions against perceived threats echo Cheney’s earlier tactics, presenting complex challenges regarding the limits of presidential power.
The article illustrates how the currents of Cheney's legacy and Trump's execution of power coexist, reflecting both alignment and disparity within the evolving Republican landscape.
