As the nation mourned former Vice President Dick Cheney on Nov. 20, 2025, a glaring absence of key figures at Washington National Cathedral spoke volumes about our fractured political landscape.
According to the Daily Mail, the funeral, while honoring Cheney’s legacy with tributes from George and Laura Bush, Joe and Jill Biden, and all living former vice presidents, was overshadowed by the deliberate exclusion of President Donald Trump and JD Vance, alongside the non-attendance of Barack and Michelle Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton.
On Nov. 20, 2025, a somber gathering unfolded at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to bid farewell to Dick Cheney. The Thursday morning service drew a crowd of notable political figures, yet the guest list revealed stark partisan rifts.
George and Laura Bush, alongside Joe and Jill Biden, attended to pay their respects to the late vice president. Their presence underscored a commitment to honor a key figure from a past administration, bridging some historical divides.
Yet, Barack and Michelle Obama chose not to attend the ceremony. Similarly, Bill and Hillary Clinton were absent, aligning with a tradition that former presidents often skip funerals of former vice presidents.
Custom dictates that former vice presidents typically pay respects at such events, and indeed, all living ones did so. Kamala Harris, Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and Mike Pence were present, showcasing a rare unity among this group.
Seating arrangements followed strict protocol, placing the Bushes, Bidens, and Harris in the front row. Harris, attending without her husband Doug Emhoff, sat beside Mike Pence and his wife Karen, engaging warmly with them.
Harris also shared animated exchanges with Quayle and Gore during the service. Such interactions hinted at collegiality among former vice presidents, despite the broader tensions permeating the event. President Donald Trump and JD Vance, however, were notably not invited to the memorial. Their exclusion stemmed from sharp criticism of Cheney’s legacy, compounded by Cheney’s endorsement of Biden over Trump in the 2024 election.
Cheney had been vocal about his views on Trump, as evidenced by his pointed words during the 2024 campaign. His stance mirrored that of his daughter, Liz Cheney, whose career faltered under Trump’s influence after her January 6 committee role.
“There has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump. He tried to,” Cheney declared in his endorsement statement. Such strong language reveals the depth of his opposition.
Yet, one might ponder if such personal animosities should overshadow a moment of national mourning. While Cheney’s convictions were clear, excluding the current president risks deepening divides when unity could heal.
The funeral still attracted a bipartisan array of Washington figures, reflecting Cheney’s late-career support for Harris’ presidential bid. This cross-aisle gesture, made a year before his passing, added a layer of complexity to his legacy.
Trump’s decision to replace Pence on the 2024 ticket, after Pence declined to challenge the 2020 election results, further contextualizes the rift. It’s a reminder of how past actions continue to shape present dynamics.
Ultimately, Cheney’s farewell encapsulated both tribute and tension, a fitting metaphor for today’s political climate. While respect was paid, the absences and exclusions whisper of battles yet unresolved in our nation’s capital.