Cheney's Secret Service protection extended
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)
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The leach continues to suck the blood of american taxpayers! It would be only fitting if he recieved this protection while sitting in a 6' x 9' cell for those crimes comitted against this country.
I'm surprised he ever cam out of stealth mode. Not surprised by this request..he'll probably need permanent secret service coverage over the next few years. He is just eating up stimulus money.
After all that he has done he should quiver in his shoes and need protection. Usually only cowards seek protection. I proffer, you decide!
Actually, he is conspiring with the secret service to implement a secret plan to kill secret enemies from secret states who have sworn secrecy to develop a secret plan to overtake our country.
And Pelosi is not too happy about it.
Moderate democrat,
They only idiots who vote, vote for democrats.
Smart move. Former President Bush extended secret service protection for Vice President Quayle, as did Clinton for Gore.
Here's a sure bet ....................Dick will never vacation outside the USA. Even with protection.
Sooooo, Dickie REQUESTED extended security. Boy, that sounds like a first! I wonder WHY???! Does anyone else wonder why?
Obama has continued all my policies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and warrantless wiretaps. He tried guantanamo bay but it was a little too much for him. When he is experienced in 3 years he might be able to do something about guantanamo.
The guy is paranoid.
What a despicable hypocritical chickenhawk cowardly weasel!
After what he did to this Country. He'd better have protection.
Cheney pretty much screwed up everything he tried to do & now we have to take care of him. I'm proud we are thats what America is all about, looking out for & protecting the WEAK.
Eric Holder needs to start filing charges against this fascist pig, but in the meantime, Congress could have the decency to impeach him on the basis of his crimes against humanity and deception in leading us into war. That would at least save the taxpayers the cost of defending the one American politician who most deserves the Mussolini treatment!
I'm not surprised. He started talking on his own and now he is asking for further protection? Should teach him not to speak so loudly and so often.
Equal justice for the poor and the rich? the powerful and the less powerless? Give me a break. If that were true, the US Attorney General would've indicted the entire Cheney administration and George W. Bush by now. Although Bush would have pleaded ignorance on all counts.
Methinks someone is getting ready to fill his Depends...
@ Me in Big D
Cheney outted a COVERT C.I.A. OPERATIVE and had his buddy Scooter Libby take the fall. If Scooter is guilty, that means Cheney's hands are dirty as well ditz. Scooter was Cheney's C.O.S. I find it highly unlikely that Cheney had know knowledge of the leak. Get a clue!
Mississippi Mike July 21st, 2009 4:05 pm ET
They should get lifetime protection, not phased out protection.
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You will be happy to know that the last president to get lifetime protection is Bill Clinton. Baby Bush only gets 20 years.
if he would just keep his mouth shut and remember he no longer has his "power" then, "we the people" wouldn't have to pay for his stupidity. he has the money make him pay for it.
Andy – how did cheyney keep us safe? 911 happened on his and bush's watch.
Cheney, the man who supports Haliburton....the organization that kills more American Soldiers then the Taliban.