Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dick Cheney

Discover the career path of Dick Cheney, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Richard Bruce Cheney served as the 46th U.S. Vice President under George W. Bush (2001-2009), a tenure noted for its unprecedented power. A Republican, Cheney's career included roles as White House Chief of Staff under Gerald Ford, U.S. Representative for Wyoming, and Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is widely regarded as a major figure in the decision to invade Iraq. Cheney's influence and policy decisions have made him a significant and controversial figure in recent American history.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1966: Cheney drops out of doctoral program

In 1966, Dick Cheney dropped out of the doctoral program at the University of Wisconsin to become a staff aide for Governor Warren P. Knowles.

1968: Cheney awarded congressional fellowship

In 1968, Dick Cheney was awarded an American Political Science Association congressional fellowship and moved to Washington, D.C.

1969: Cheney Starts Political Career

In 1969, Dick Cheney's political career began as an intern for Congressman William A. Steiger during the Richard Nixon Administration.

1970: Cheney joins Donald Rumsfeld's staff

From 1969 to 1970, Dick Cheney joined the staff of Donald Rumsfeld, who was then Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity.

1971: Cheney becomes White House Staff Assistant

In 1971, Dick Cheney became a White House Staff Assistant.

1973: Cheney becomes Assistant Director of the Cost of Living Council

From 1971 to 1973, Dick Cheney served as Assistant Director of the Cost of Living Council.

1974: Cheney becomes Deputy Assistant to the President

From 1974 to 1975, Dick Cheney was Deputy Assistant to the president.

1974: Cheney Appointed White House Deputy Chief of Staff

From December 1974 to November 1975, Dick Cheney served as Assistant to the President and White House deputy chief of staff under Gerald Ford.

1975: Cheney becomes White House Chief of Staff

From 1975 to 1977, Dick Cheney served as White House Chief of Staff during the Ford administration.

1975: Cheney Suggests Options to Limit Damage from NYT Article

In 1975, as Deputy Assistant to the President, Dick Cheney suggested options to limit damage from a New York Times article regarding Operation Ivy Bells.

1976: Cheney campaign manager for Ford

In 1976, Dick Cheney was the campaign manager for Gerald Ford's presidential campaign.

1977: End of role as White House Chief of Staff

In 1977, Dick Cheney's role as White House Chief of Staff came to an end.

1978: Cheney initially opposed MLK holiday

In 1978, Dick Cheney initially opposed establishing a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

1978: Cheney elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 1978, Dick Cheney was elected to represent Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives.

1979: Cheney Represents Wyoming in U.S. House

From 1979 to 1989, Dick Cheney represented Wyoming's at-large congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

1979: Cheney becomes U.S. Representative for Wyoming

In 1979, Dick Cheney became the U.S. representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district.

April 1980: Cheney Endorses Ronald Reagan for President

In April 1980, Dick Cheney endorsed Governor Ronald Reagan for president, becoming one of Reagan's earliest supporters.

1981: Cheney joins Republican Wednesday Group

In 1981, Dick Cheney joined the Republican Wednesday Group after being persuaded by Barber Conable.

1983: Cheney supported MLK Day

In 1983, Dick Cheney supported the creation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

1986: Cheney votes against overriding veto of Anti-Apartheid Act

In 1986, Dick Cheney was one of 83 Representatives to vote against overriding President Reagan's veto of the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, which aimed to impose economic sanctions on South Africa.

1986: Cheney Votes Against Resolution on Nelson Mandela's Release

In 1986, Dick Cheney, along with 145 Republicans and 31 Democrats, voted against a non-binding Congressional resolution calling on the South African government to release Nelson Mandela from prison.

1987: Cheney on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations

Between 1987 and 1989, during his last term in Congress, Cheney served on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations.

1987: Cheney elected Chairman of Republican Policy Committee

From 1981 to 1987, Dick Cheney was the Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee.

1987: Elected Chairman of House Republican Conference

In 1987, Dick Cheney was elected Chairman of the House Republican Conference.

March 1989: Cheney appointed Secretary of Defense

In March 1989, Dick Cheney was appointed Secretary of Defense after the U.S. Senate rejected John G. Tower's nomination.

May 1989: Noriega nullified the election outcome

In May 1989, after Guillermo Endara had been duly elected President of Panama, Noriega nullified the election outcome, drawing intensified pressure.

1989: Cheney on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations

Between 1987 and 1989, during his last term in Congress, Cheney served on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations.

1989: Cheney serves as House minority whip

In 1989, Dick Cheney briefly served as House minority whip.

1989: End of service in the House

In 1989, Dick Cheney concluded his service in the U.S. House of Representatives, having been re-elected five times.

1989: End of term as U.S. Representative for Wyoming

In 1989, Dick Cheney's tenure as the U.S. Representative for Wyoming ended.

1989: Cheney Discusses Deferments

In 1989, after Cheney was nominated for Secretary of Defense, he addressed his draft deferments during an interview with The Washington Post.

1989: Military personnel strength decrease

In 1989, total military personnel strength was about 2.2 million. Over Cheney's four years as Secretary of Defense, there was a 19% decrease.

1989: Cheney Faces Immediate Budget Issues

In 1989, upon becoming Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney's immediate issue was the Department of Defense budget, which he deemed appropriate to cut and downsize the military.

August 1, 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait

On August 1, 1990, Iraqi president Saddam Hussein sent Iraqi forces into Kuwait, sparking the Persian Gulf War and worldwide condemnation.

1990: Cheney evaluates Department of Defense budget

In 1990, as Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney assessed the Department of Defense budget, including expensive programs like the Avenger II Naval attack aircraft, the B-2 stealth bomber, the V-22 Osprey tilt-wing helicopter, the Aegis destroyer, and the MX missile.

1990: Proposed and adopted budgets followed patterns

In 1990, the proposed and adopted budgets followed similar patterns to that year, during Cheney's tenure.

January 12, 1991: Congress authorizes military force against Iraq

On January 12, 1991, Congress authorized President Bush to use military force to enforce Iraq's compliance with UN resolutions on Kuwait.

January 15, 1991: UN demands Iraq withdraw from Kuwait

By January 15, 1991, the UN Security Council demanded that Iraq withdraw its forces from Kuwait, authorizing "all means necessary" to eject Iraq.

January 17, 1991: Operation Desert Storm begins

On January 17, 1991, the first phase of Operation Desert Storm began with an air offensive targeting Iraqi command and control centers in cities like Baghdad and Basra.

1991: Concerns about nuclear components after Soviet Union collapse

In 1991, Cheney publicly expressed concern that nations like Iraq, Iran, and North Korea could acquire nuclear components after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He also believed NATO should remain the foundation of European security and urged the alliance to assist new Eastern European democracies.

1991: Cheney oversaw Operation Desert Storm

In 1991, as Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney oversaw Operation Desert Storm.

1991: Somali Civil War drew world's attention

In 1991, the Somali Civil War drew the world's attention, leading to subsequent U.S. involvement.

1991: Plan to reduce military strength

In early 1991, Dick Cheney unveiled a plan to reduce U.S. military strength by the mid-1990s to 1.6 million, a reduction from 2.2 million when he assumed office.

April 1992: Noriega imprisoned

In April 1992, Manuel Noriega was convicted and imprisoned on racketeering and drug trafficking charges after the U.S. invasion of Panama.

August 1992: US provides humanitarian assistance to Somalia

In August 1992, the United States began providing humanitarian assistance, primarily food, to Somalia through a military airlift.

1992: Defense budget reduced

In 1993, Cheney reduced the defense budget from 1992. He removed programs Congress had directed the Department of Defense to buy weapons it didn't want, and he omitted unrequested reserve forces.

January 1993: End of term as Secretary of Defense

Dick Cheney's service as Secretary of Defense concluded in January 1993.

January 1993: Cheney joins American Enterprise Institute

In January 1993, with the inauguration of Bill Clinton, Cheney joined the American Enterprise Institute.

1993: Defense budget reduced

In 1993, Cheney reduced the defense budget from 1992. He removed programs Congress had directed the Department of Defense to buy weapons it didn't want, and he omitted unrequested reserve forces.

1993: End of term as Secretary of Defense

In 1993, Dick Cheney's term as Secretary of Defense ended.

1993: Military personnel strength decrease

In 1993, the military personnel strength was about 1.8 million. Over Cheney's four years as Secretary of Defense, there was a 19% decrease from 1989.

April 15, 1994: Cheney on occupying Baghdad

In an April 15, 1994, interview with C-SPAN, Cheney stated that occupying and attempting to take over Baghdad would have been a "bad idea" and would have led to a "quagmire".

October 1, 1995: Cheney becomes CEO of Halliburton

On October 1, 1995, Cheney became chairman of the board and CEO of Halliburton, a Fortune 500 company.

1995: Cheney serves a second term as a Council on Foreign Relations director

From 1993 to 1995, Cheney served a second term as a Council on Foreign Relations director.

1995: Cheney becomes Chairman and CEO of Halliburton

From 1995 to 2000, Dick Cheney was the chairman and CEO of Halliburton.

1998: Halliburton merger attracts criticism

In 1998, the merger between Halliburton and Dresser Industries attracted criticism for Halliburton's lack of accounting transparency.

July 2000: Cheney Chosen as Bush's Running Mate

In July 2000, George W. Bush chose Dick Cheney as his running mate for the 2000 presidential election.

July 25, 2000: Cheney resigns as CEO of Halliburton

On July 25, 2000, Cheney resigned as CEO of Halliburton, the same day he was announced as George W. Bush's vice-presidential pick.

July 28, 2000: Cheney Selected as Bush's VP Nominee

On July 28, 2000, a New York Times article acknowledged that the decision to select Cheney as Bush's Vice Presidential nominee was secretly made "weeks" before it was formally announced.

2000: Cheney campaigns against Lieberman

In 2000, Cheney campaigned against Al Gore's running mate, Joseph Lieberman, in the presidential election. During the election Cheney put his home in Dallas up for sale and changed his drivers' license and voter registration back to Wyoming.

2000: Cheney leaves Halliburton

In 2000, Dick Cheney left Halliburton and received a $33.7 million severance package.

2000: Cheney reverses position on Head Start funding

In 2000, Dick Cheney reversed his earlier position and supported funding for Head Start.

September 21, 2001: Intelligence community finds no evidence of Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda

On September 21, 2001, President Bush received a classified President's Daily Brief indicating the U.S. intelligence community had no evidence linking Saddam Hussein to the September 11 attacks and that "there was scant credible evidence that Iraq had any significant collaborative ties with Al Qaeda."

2001: Cheney becomes Vice President

In 2001, Dick Cheney became the 46th Vice President of the United States under President George W. Bush.

June 29, 2002: Cheney served as acting president

On the morning of June 29, 2002, Cheney served as acting president from 7:09 a.m. to 9:24 a.m., while President Bush underwent a colonoscopy, under the terms of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.

2003: Cheney's net worth estimated

In 2003, Cheney's net worth was estimated to be between $19 million and $86 million, largely derived from his position at Halliburton.

2004: Cheney Reelected as Vice President

In 2004, Dick Cheney was reelected as Vice President of the United States with George W. Bush as president.

2004: 9/11 Commission concludes

In 2004, the 9/11 Commission concluded that there was no "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and al-Qaeda.

2004: Bush and Cheney re-elected

In the 2004 presidential election, Bush and Cheney were re-elected, running against John Kerry and his running mate, John Edwards. During the election, the pregnancy of his daughter Mary and her sexual orientation as a lesbian became a source of public attention for Cheney.

2005: Libby resigns

Until his indictment and resignation in 2005, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Jr. served as Cheney's chief of staff.

2006: Cheney's gross joint income

In 2006, Cheney's gross joint income with his wife was nearly $8.82 million, primarily from exercising Halliburton stock options.

July 21, 2007: Cheney Serves as Acting President

On July 21, 2007, Dick Cheney served as acting president from 7:16 am to 9:21 am while President George W. Bush underwent a medical procedure requiring sedation. Bush transferred the power of the presidency to Cheney before the procedure and resumed his duties later that same day.

March 24, 2008: Cheney responds "So?" to Iraq War opinion poll

On March 24, 2008, in an interview with ABC News, Cheney responded "So?" to a question about public opinion polls showing Americans had lost confidence in the Iraq War, prompting widespread criticism.

2009: End of Vice Presidency

In 2009, Dick Cheney's tenure as Vice President of the United States came to an end.

December 2010: Cheney named in corruption complaint

In December 2010, Cheney was named in a corruption complaint filed by the Nigerian government against Halliburton.

May 2, 2011: Cheney Praises Obama Administration for Bin Laden Raid

On May 2, 2011, Dick Cheney praised the Obama administration for the covert military operation in Pakistan that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden, acknowledging the success of the mission.

June 2011: Supreme Court reverses ruling in Halliburton case

In June 2011, the United States Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling and allowed a class-action lawsuit against Halliburton to continue.

July 2012: Cheney Hosts Fundraiser for Mitt Romney

In July 2012, Dick Cheney hosted a private fundraiser for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at his Wyoming home. The event raised over $4 million for Romney's campaign.

2014: Cheney continued to mislead

By 2014, Cheney continued to misleadingly claim that Saddam "had a 10-year relationship with al Qaeda".

2015: Cheney publishes "Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America"

In 2015, Dick Cheney co-authored a book with his daughter Liz titled "Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America". The book discusses U.S. foreign policy and military successes and failures from Franklin Roosevelt's administration through the Obama administration and criticizes Barack Obama's and Hillary Clinton's foreign policies.

May 2016: Cheney Endorses Donald Trump for President

In May 2016, Dick Cheney endorsed Donald Trump as the Republican nominee in the 2016 presidential election. This marked his support for Trump's candidacy.

May 2016: Cheney supports Donald Trump in presidential election

In May 2016, Dick Cheney publicly announced that he would support Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

January 2017: Liz Cheney Sworn into House of Representatives

In January 2017, Liz Cheney, Dick Cheney's daughter, was sworn into the House of Representatives. She was elected to his former congressional seat.

May 2018: Cheney supports Trump's decision to withdraw from Iran Nuclear Deal

In May 2018, Dick Cheney supported Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Iran Nuclear Deal).

March 2019: Cheney criticizes Trump administration

In March 2019, Dick Cheney criticized the Trump administration at the American Enterprise Institute World Forum alongside Vice President Mike Pence, questioning Trump's commitment to NATO and his tendency to announce policy decisions on Twitter before consulting senior staff members.

2020: Cheney appeared at a Trump 2020 Fundraiser

In 2020, Dick Cheney appeared at a Trump 2020 fundraiser.

2020: Trump's attempt to overturn presidential election

In 2020, after the presidential election, Donald Trump attempted to overturn the results.

2022: Cheney calls Trump a "coward" in primary ad for Liz

In 2022, Dick Cheney appeared in a primary campaign ad for his daughter Liz Cheney, calling Donald Trump a "coward" and a "threat to our republic" due to his attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election.

September 6, 2024: Cheney to vote for Kamala Harris in 2024 election

On September 6, 2024, Dick Cheney released a public statement confirming that he intended to cast his vote in the 2024 presidential election for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

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