Former Vice President Dick Cheney is being laid to rest today in a bipartisan funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral, with all four living former vice presidents in attendance but notably excluding President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who were not invited due to longstanding political rifts.
The funeral service, scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on November 20, 2025, at the National Cathedral, will honor Cheney with full military honors. Over 1,000 guests are expected, including a who’s who of Washington dignitaries from both parties. The event underscores a tradition of bipartisan respect for departed leaders, even in today’s polarized climate, and will feature speeches from key figures.
Among the attendees are former presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, with Bush slated to deliver a eulogy. All living former vice presidents—Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle—will be present, highlighting the ceremonial importance of the occasion. Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts, and congressional leaders from both sides are also expected, such as Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Notably absent will be President Trump and Vice President Vance, who were not invited to the service. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the snub, which reflects the deep political divisions between the Cheney family and the current administration. Trump has not publicly commented on Cheney’s death, and the White House offered only a muted response, noting that flags were lowered to half-staff.
The exclusion stems from years of acrimony, particularly after Cheney’s daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney, played a key role in the January 6 committee investigating the Capitol riot. Dick Cheney himself endorsed Trump’s Democratic opponent in the last election and described Trump as a ‘greater threat to our republic.’ Vance has also criticized Cheney, adding to the tensions, as evidenced by his recent remarks downplaying Cheney’s legacy.
Cheney, who served as vice president from 2001 to 2009, was a powerful figure in Republican politics but left office with a polarizing legacy due to his role as architect of the Iraq War. His funeral brings together figures from across the political spectrum, serving as a reminder of a less divisive era in Washington, where bipartisan gestures were more common.
The service will include speeches by Bush, Liz Cheney, and some of Cheney’s grandchildren, with honorary pallbearers including former aides and Secret Service details. The event not only pays tribute to Cheney’s life but also symbolizes the ongoing struggles within the Republican Party between traditional conservatism and Trump-aligned factions, highlighting the enduring impact of his career.
As Washington gathers to bid farewell, the funeral underscores the current political fissures and raises questions about future bipartisan events. It remains to be seen how these dynamics will influence the broader political landscape, particularly in an election year, but today’s ceremony stands as a poignant moment of reflection on Cheney’s complex legacy.
