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Funeral Service Held for Former Vice President Dick Cheney

2025-11-20

The BareStory

A funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney was held on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Washington National Cathedral. Cheney died on November 3 at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. The invitation-only service was attended by numerous political figures, including former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, along with former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle.

During the service, former President Bush delivered a eulogy in which he recounted that Cheney had offered to step down from the presidential ticket in 2004. Cheney’s daughter, former Representative Liz Cheney, also spoke, stating that her father believed defending the Constitution was paramount over party loyalty and was inspired to enter public service by John F. Kennedy. Tributes were also given by Cheney's cardiologist, his former press secretary, and his grandchildren.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance did not attend the funeral. According to a White House official, they were not invited. President Trump had not issued a public statement on Cheney’s passing. In contrast, one report noted that Vice President Vance offered condolences to the Cheney family while acknowledging political disagreements. Former President Bill Clinton was also absent due to a prior scheduling conflict.

The service took place amid a history of public criticism between Cheney and Trump. Cheney had become a vocal critic of Trump's actions surrounding the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. One account noted that Cheney had endorsed Trump's 2024 opponent, while Trump had previously called Cheney an irrelevant figure. Before the funeral, former Vice President Pence praised Cheney's legacy.

Left Perspective

  • The funeral was attended by numerous high-profile political figures from both parties.
  • Eulogies focused on Cheney's character and commitment to public service.
  • Tributes were delivered by a range of personal and professional associates.

Right Perspective

  • The sitting President and Vice President were notably absent from the service.
  • The service occurred amid a history of public conflict between Cheney and President Trump.
  • Reactions to Cheney’s passing differed among contemporary political figures.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• This event is not expected to have any immediate, direct effect on the daily lives, personal finances, or public services for most individuals.

• The visible political divisions highlighted by the event may signal future challenges in passing legislation, potentially affecting the public through government policy.

• Eulogies emphasizing constitutional duty over party loyalty could frame the terms of future public and political debates regarding governance.

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