WASHINGTON (CNN) – Protection for former Vice President Dick Cheney has been extended, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan confirmed to CNN Tuesday.
Donovan would not say for how long the extension will last. The extension, reportedly requested by Cheney, went through the standard process and was officially authorized by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano July 17, according to DHS spokeswoman Sara Kuban.
The extension was not based on a specific threat against the former vice president, CNN has also learned. Rather, officials believed the move was justified given the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, political debate about the Bush administration's strategies and Cheney's active public schedule, according to a government official with knowledge of the matter.
Ordinarily, former vice presidents only receive Secret Service protection for the first six months after leaving office. DHS told CNN this is the first time a former vice president's security detail has been extended beyond the standard duration.
–CNN's John King, Kevin Bohn, and Martina Stewart contributed to this report.
(Updated 5:45 pm with DHS comment)
From CNN Politics
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Cheney is not going to miss any meals or sleep over what the crazy liberals think. He has made enough money to do whatever he wants and he deserves it. He is welcome to hunt & fish for free at my ranch anytime. We don't have any trash talking liberals out there....
He would certainly be very safe in a cell...where he belongs.
I absolutely love it when the rightwing weasles come on here and whine on and on about George Soros, Move on, ACORN, and the unions. We finally have a president that is 4 times as intelligent as the last 4 [R] presidents put together, and supposedly he can't think for himself? That's just precious, coming from a bunch of goons that obeyed their lord Rush and voted for the miserable likes of G. Bush, TWICE!!! You are absolutely the EXPERTS on not "thinking for yourself"....no doubt about it. And I celebrate everyday your rightwing stupidity in not realizing why you lost power over the last two elections. Yes, keep focusing on ACORN and George Saros, by all means...they were your downfall. Geez, some gene therapy for the rightwing is in order, methinks.
Draft-dodging chicken hawk finally reveals the yellow stripe down his back. and now with all his millions Halliburtion gave him he wants to stick the taxpayers with added security. add cheapskate to his list of characteristics
He is no longer an elected person in office, and he is a billionaire who can surely afford his own personal security. So why are you and me, Joe and Jane Taxpayer, forced to pay for his security?
cheney gets secret sevice protection, and then hopefully some even more restrictive protective custody...the kind her really deserves.
No matter. The have nearly completed construction of a special section of hell for the time Lucifer decides to call that black soul back to the lake of fire.
Sure. Sure. Cheney is such an innocent slime bag. Who cares about the Constitution and the people? Lies abound and torture (which he defends) has made this country look so bad. Thanks Cheney, for nothing and that goes for W too.
All you die hard Republicans commenting with liberal this and liberal that, you;ve shot your wad. People have had it with you as they did with Hoover in 1928
We progressives are watching you hanging on to Limbaugh,Hannity,Bennet,Medved,Savage,Praeger and Fox News as they take you over the cliff.
I'd be asking for an extention as well if I had screwed over as many people as this war criminal has.
When the Taliban start waterboarding the American soldier they captured, will Mr. Cheney go on Fox News and proclaim how it's no big deal? He and Sean Hannity or Glen Beck could do commentary about what an effective and safe tactic it is as we watch the video....
Kile Anderson: If it wasn't for the two of them we surely would have had another terrorist attack by now.
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They ARE the reason e had the FIRST one idiot. They were briefed extensively on the BinLaden Threat, including the use of airplanes.
Chaeny/Rumsfeld=TERRORISTS
Don't think he cares. He is just watching Obama try to create his vision – the Secular Welfare state.
Four and The Door July 21st, 2009 4:53 pm ET
Dick Cheney in the Vice president's office was one of the fundamental reasons terrorists did not see a second successful attack in the US. Some liberals have an odd way of making themselves feel superior and righteous by second guessing his methods, but I am not alone in recognizing that this country owes him a great deal of gratitude.
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....Where do you people come up with this cr.ap?
If I had done what he has done, I would want protection too!
Talk about a waste of taxpayers money. No one ever seems to hurt the loudmouth, hate mongers. They just want to hurt people who try and make this Country better.
My taxes are paying for this!
American taxpayers are paying for this guy's protection? He's a criminal and needs to be prosecuted. Stop protecting the criminal!
This war criminal, iiwould think needs all the protection he can get, but no one can protect him from God's wrath in the afterlife.
For those complaining about paying their taxes for this, remember it's Obama's team that authorized it.
So why announce it to everyone. I can't stand Cheney, but I do understand the logic of protecting the former VP. I just don't understand Secrete Service or Homeland Security making news out of it. STUPID.
I never thought I'd grow to hate a segment of any population, but you Republicans have managed to convince me to hate you. Cheney included. I'm not surprised he's begging for more protection. He's afraid he'll finally be taken out of the picture for good.
I have a question, can anybody answer. How much money could we save if we pulled all secret service agents from our retired politicians? Probably would have enough money to pay off the debt, provide health care for all AMERICANS, and I would imagine have billions to spare. Just think how safe our country would be, if we freed up all those agents.
Fine, but he should have to pay for it.
Bush/Cheney had a very poor last 2 years but they are going to look good in history compared to the master fabricator Obama. I did not think it was feasible anyone could do a worse job than that peanut farmer Carter. Obama – great orator & lousy leader.
Only ostriches (AKA the dumbest birds) stick their heads in the sand, and think it will hide them.
Who are the ones saying it's OK what cheney did as long as, boooooom he kept us safe (like during 911)?
If the humas would be classified according to birds, republicans would be chickenhawks and ostriches.
Oh yes, Dodo's too....(thanks GOP = 21st century dodo)