WASHINGTON (AP) – Former Vice President Dick Cheney has criticized President Donald Trump's foreign policy, even comparing it with that of former President Barack Obama, amid a startling reprimand from the president by a member of his own party.
Addressing Vice President Mike Pence this weekend at an in-camera retreat hosted by the American Enterprise Institute in Sea Island, Georgia, Cheney warned that US allies were releasing question the reliability of the United States following Trump's public statements. Cheney, known for his warmongering views on foreign policy, has particularly pointed to Trump's public complaints about NATO's role and the surprise announcement of Syrian troop withdrawal.
Cheney's comments, which were first reported Monday by the Washington Post, were confirmed by a person in the room. The person requested anonymity because of the unofficial nature of the conference.
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Dick Cheney through the years
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CASPER, WY – NOT UPDATED: Congressman Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne pose for a photo with their two children Liz (left), Mary and Basset Hound Cyrano at home in March 1978 in Casper, Wyoming. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly / Getty Images)
Lynne Cheney tasted the stew of her husband Dick in the kitchen of their home in McLean, Virginia, in May 1980. Richard Cheney was nominated as vice-president of George W. Bush on July 25, 2000. He also been secretary of defense of the former president. George Bush. (Photo by Getty)
Dick and Lynne Cheney plant a tree in May 1980 in the yard of their suburban home in McLean, Virginia, while their 10-year-old daughter Mary bears an earthworm. Richard Cheney was nominated as Vice President of George W. Bush on July 25, 2000. He was also Defense Secretary to former President George Bush. (Photo by Getty)
The Cheney family (from left to right, Dick, Elizabeth, 12, Mary 10, with dog Cyrano and Lynne) admires a tree that she planted in the yard of the family home in May 1980 in McLean, Virginia. Richard Cheney was nominated as Vice President of George W. Bush on July 25, 2000. He was also Defense Secretary to former President George Bush. (Photo by Getty)
The Cheney family (from left to right) Lynne, Dick, Elizabeth, 12, and Mary, 10, run in the yard of their family home in McLean, Virginia, May 1980. Richard Cheney is nominated for vice-presidency George W. Bush, July. 25, 2000. He was also Secretary of Defense of former President George Bush. (Photo by Getty)
US President Ronald Reagan attends a meeting of Republican leaders at the White House on March 22, 1983 in Washington, DC, with Republican minority leader Bob Michael (left) and Congressman Dick Cheney. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly / Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 14: This archival photo taken on March 14, 1989 shows former US Defense Secretary Dick Cheney, who is appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the first day of the war. Audience of his appointment at Capitol Hill, Washington. . (The photo credit should match JAMES COLBURN / AFP / Getty Images)
Dick Cheney walks with President George Bush and an entourage on March 21, 1989 in Washington, DC. Cheney was elected to the United States Congress of Wyoming in 1978 and served ten years prior to his appointment as Secretary of Defense to President George Bush. (Photo by Getty)
Dick Cheney speaking at his swearing-up on March 21, 1989 in Washington, DC. Cheney was elected to the United States Congress of Wyoming in 1978 and served ten years prior to his appointment as Secretary of Defense to President George Bush. (Photo by Getty)
PANAMA, PANAMA: US Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney (right) presents to General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, briefs journalists at the Pentagon on December 20, 1989, on of the military operation to overthrow General Manuel Antonio Noriega in Panama bring him to the United States for trial on drug charges. (The photo credit should match BOB PEARSON / AFP / Getty Images)
United States President George Bush (C), addressing reporters on August 22, 1990 in Kennebunkport, accompanied by Defense Secretary Dick Cheney (left) and Chair of the Committee of the United States Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powel, at the conclusion of a meeting devoted to the military situation in the Gulf. AFP PHOTO JEREME DELAY (The photo credit should match JEROME DELAY / AFP / Getty Images)
Dick Cheney (left), CEO of Halliburton Company and former chief of staff of President Gerald Ford, talks with former President Ford at a party for their mutual friend, Richard Growald, in San Diego, California, in 1994. (Photo by David Hume Kennerly / Getty Images)
USA – CIRCA 2000: GOP vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney greets the crowd on the third night of the Republican National Convention at the First Union Center in Philadelphia. (Photo of Harry Hamburg / NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA: Dick Cheney (left) and his Republican presidential candidate wife Lynne (right) greet the crowd after his speech of thanks at the 2000 National Republican Convention at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , August 2, 2000. (STAN HONDA Photo Credit / AFP / Getty Images)
USA – CIRCA 2000: Vice President-elect Dick Cheney and President-elect George W. Bush attend an event honoring US veterans in Washington. (Photo by David Handschuh / NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
United States – August 04 – Presidential candidate Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne are about to gather at an election campaign train stop in Akron, Ohio. (Photo of Harry Hamburg / NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
USA – AUGUST 04: George W. and Laura Bush and Dick and Lynne Cheney wave to a rally in Pittsburgh as they boarded a train for a crossing into the west of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Pennsylvania's Governor Tom Ridge is behind Bush. (Photo of Harry Hamburg / NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
Former US Vice President Dick Cheney expresses against the Iranian nuclear deal at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in Washington, DC on September 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO / NICHOLAS KAMM (The photo credit should correspond to NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP / Getty Images)
MEET THE PRESS – In the photo: (from left to right) Fmr. Dick Cheney, Vice-President of the Commission, will participate in a press conference in Washington on Sunday, December 14, 2014. (Photo: William B. Plowman / NBC / NBC NewsWire via Getty Images)
Former Vice President Dick Cheney speaks at the annual meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 24, 2017. REUTERS / David Becker
Former US Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne arrive for Donald Trump's presidential inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, United States, on January 20, 2017. REUTERS / Saul Loeb / Pool
US Vice President Dick Cheney is pictured with Chief of Staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby (R) in the President's Emergency Operations Center in Washington in the hours that followed the attacks of 11 September 2001 in this photo of the US National Archives document obtained by Reuters in July 24, 2015. REUTERS / US National Archives / Brochure via Reuters (MILITARY POLITICAL DISASTER) THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY BY REUTERS, AS A CUSTOMER SERVICE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS
The President of the House, Paul Ryan (left), former US President George W. Bush (right) and former Vice President Dick Cheney sit on stage in front of the unveiling of the marble bust of Cheney at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, December 3, 2015. REUTERS / James Lawler Duggan
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Cheney also expressed concern over reports that Trump would not spend enough time on his intelligence briefings, as well as the frequency of staff turnover in key national security assignments. Cheney has also repeatedly suggested that the transactional vision of Trump's foreign policy – including a focus on what allies contribute to their defense – was flawed.
Pence joked about the lack of "softball" issues before the annual rally of conservative thinkers, politicians and business leaders. He also sought to counter some of Cheney's criticisms of Trump's treatment of North Korea and Syria. A spokesman for Pence confirmed the account, but declined to discuss the exchange.
Since he left office, Cheney has largely avoided public attention. Although his remarks were made behind closed doors, they reveal how many GOP followers are opposed to many of Trump's foreign policy measures. The energetic statements of the president "America First" have aroused the concern and condemnation of many traditional Republicans.
Earlier this year, congressional Republicans joined the Democrats to express disapproval of Trump's plans to pull US troops out of Syria and Afghanistan.
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