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From a Republican stalwart who redefined the vice presidency to an outspoken MAGA opponent, Dick Cheney's impact on American politics spanned decades.The big picture: A polarizing force in the "war on terror," he expanded the reach of his office in the wake of the country's deadliest terrorist attack and helped drive the costly, unpopular Iraq War built on faulty intelligence.Cheney, 84, died Monday from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family announced."Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing," his family said in a statement.Flashback: Cheney's lengthy political career also included stints as defense secretary, a White House chief of staff and a Wyoming congressman.He suffered cardiac problems for decades — but that did nothing to loosen his powerful policy grip during his tenure, notably in areas of national security. Details: Take a look through Cheney's impactful political career, in photos.Dick Cheney as deputy chief of staff in 1975Deputy Chief of Staff Cheney in the cabinet room of the White House during the Mayaguez crisis on April 18, 1975. Photo: David Hume Kennerly/Getty ImagesWhite House Chief of Staff Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy, Cheney, left, meet with President Gerald Ford in the Oval Office on April 22, 1975. Photo: David Hume Kennerly/White House via CNP/Getty ImagesChief of Staff Cheney in 1976Chief of Staff Cheney in 1976President Gerald Ford and Chief of Staff Cheney look over documents in the living room of the Aspen Lodge during a weekend trip to Camp David, on Aug. 7, 1976, in Thurmont, Maryland. Photo: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images1989-1993: Secretary of Defense Cheney1989-1993: Secretary of Defense CheneyU.S. Army General Colin Powell speaks in the Rose Garden on Aug. 10, 1989. He had just been named chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. Behind him is Defense Secretary Cheney. Photo: Ron Sachs/CNP/Getty ImagesDefense Secretary Cheney visits with U.K. Defense Secretary Tom King in October 1990. Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images2000: Cheney on the campaign trailGeorge W. Bush and his running mate Dick Cheney wave to supporters during a rally as they campaigned for the 2000 presidential election. Photo: Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma via Getty ImagesBush, the Republican presidential nominee, Laura Bush, Lynne Cheney, VP nominee Cheney, Gov. Jeb Bush, and campaign chairman Don Evans at the governor's mansion in Austin, Texas, Nov. 8, 2000, watching returns. Photo: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images2001-2009: Cheney as VPVice President Cheney meets with senior staff in the President's Emergency Operations Center after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Photo: David Bohrer/U.S. National Archives via Getty ImagesPresident Bush walks with Vice President Cheney along the colonnade at the White House in October 2003. Photo: Stephen Jaffe/AFP via Getty ImagesPresident Bush, Vice President Cheney and other members of the Bush team walk out to address reporters in August 2004 at Bush's Texas ranch. Photo: Luke Frazza/AFP via Getty ImagesPope Benedict XVI is greeted by Vice President Cheney and his wife, Lynne, on April 20, 2008, at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Photo: Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty ImagesVice President Cheney takes to the stage on March 18, 2008, to deliver remarks to U.S. troops stationed at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Photo: Paul Richards/AFP via Getty ImagesAfter the White HouseFormer Vice President Cheney arrives on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2017, for Donal Trump's presidential inauguration ceremony. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty ImagesCheney greets former President Obama during the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral Dec. 5, 2018. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesLiz Cheney with her dad at his house in Virginia on May 12, 2021. Photo: David Hume Kennerly/Center for Creative Photography/University of Arizona via Getty ImagesGo deeper: Exclusive: Dick Cheney told Liz to "defend the Republic" days before Jan. 6
