Dick Cheney’s memorial service at the Washington National Cathedral is set to begin Thursday morning, but notable figures from the Republican Party will be absent.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are both reportedly skipping the funeral, raising eyebrows in political circles.
Neither Trump’s public schedule nor Vance’s commitments indicate any plans to attend, and spokespeople for both declined to comment.
Remembering Cheney’s Life and Legacy
Cheney, who passed away on November 3 at the age of 84 from complications related to pneumonia and heart and vascular disease, left a complex legacy.
Over decades in politics, he served as a congressman from Wyoming, Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, and Vice President under George W. Bush.
He was also CEO of Halliburton and earned the nickname “Darth Vader” for his role in shaping U.S. military policy after 9/11.
A Surprising Endorsement
In a move that surprised many, Cheney endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election, following the lead of his daughter, Liz Cheney.
Liz had backed Harris as part of her efforts to rally non-MAGA Republicans and independents, a stance that had already cost her political standing within the GOP.
Cheney publicly criticized Donald Trump, calling him the “greatest threat to our republic” and asserting he could never be trusted with power again.
Attendance Highlights and Uncertainties
While Trump and Vance will be absent, former President Joe Biden plans to attend the service, which coincidentally falls on his 83rd birthday.
It remains unclear whether Kamala Harris will travel from California, though she publicly expressed sadness at Cheney’s passing, praising him as a “devoted public servant.”
Representatives for former first families, including the Obamas and Clintons, have not confirmed attendance.
Eulogies and Honors
George W. Bush will deliver a eulogy, joined by Liz Cheney, Cheney’s long-time physician Dr. Jonathan Reiner, and former staffer-turned-journalist Pete Williams.
The service will reflect Cheney’s multifaceted life—his military influence, political decisions, and final years of public engagement.
The Quiet White House
The Trump White House has remained notably silent about Cheney’s passing.
There were no public statements, and the only acknowledgment was through ceremonial flag-lowering.
This absence marks a stark contrast to the traditional respect shown when prominent political figures pass, such as at President Jimmy Carter’s funeral earlier this year.
Cheney’s Enduring Controversies
Cheney’s tenure was marked by hard-line policies, including military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq and support for “enhanced interrogation” methods, which critics have labeled torture.
Yet, his late-life endorsement of a Democrat reshaped part of his legacy, earning him unexpected respect among some liberal circles.
A Complex Political Figure
Born on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheney rose through the ranks of American politics to become one of the most influential and polarizing figures of his era.
His career was defined by decades of political and military strategy, controversial policies, and, in the final year of his life, a striking bipartisan gesture through his support of Kamala Harris.
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