A Political Gathering Marked by Notable Absences
The political world gathered in Washington, DC, on Thursday to honour former Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away on November 3 at the age of 84 from complications with pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. The funeral service commenced at 11am ET at the prestigious Washington National Cathedral, drawing many of the nation's political elite. However, two prominent figures were conspicuously missing from the guest list.
Trump and Vance Receive No Invitation
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were not invited to the memorial service, a senior White House official confirmed to CBS News. This decision underscores the deep political divisions that have characterised recent American politics. The White House itself maintained an uncharacteristically quiet stance regarding the funeral proceedings. President Trump never issued an official statement, nor did he comment on Cheney's passing on his Truth Social platform. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt's only acknowledgement was that the White House was complying with the law by flying flags at half-staff.
The snub follows public statements from both sides. Cheney endorsed Kamala Harris in September 2024, declaring that 'there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.' In turn, Trump has been a long-time critic of the Bush-Cheney administration, frequently blasting their foreign policy for embroiling the United States in what he termed 'forever wars' in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Biden Attends, Reflecting on a Complicated Legacy
In contrast to the snub of Trump and Vance, former President Joe Biden confirmed his attendance at the Thursday service. Biden's spokeswoman verified his plans to pay his respects. In a statement released after Cheney's death, the Democratic president noted that the former vice president was 'guided by a strong set of conservative values' and that 'he believed, as I do, that family is the beginning, middle, and end.'
This marked a significant shift in tone for Biden, who had once labelled Cheney as 'the most dangerous vice president we´ve had probably in American history.' His presence at the funeral highlights the complex and often evolving relationships within the highest echelons of American political power.
