The political elite of the United States gathered in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, November 20, 2025, to honor former Vice President Dick Cheney, but two prominent figures were conspicuously absent from the solemn occasion.
Notable Absences at National Cathedral Service
Current President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance did not receive invitations to the funeral service held at the historic Washington National Cathedral. The exclusion marks a significant political statement given Cheney's stature in Republican politics and the traditional protocol of inviting sitting presidents to former vice presidents' funerals.
Fox News confirmed that the current administration's top leaders were deliberately left off the guest list for the service, which attracted more than 1,000 attendees from across the political spectrum.
Cheney's Legacy and Political Divisions
Dick Cheney, who served as vice president for two terms under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, passed away on November 3, 2025, at age 84. His death resulted from complications of pneumonia combined with cardiac and vascular disease.
During his tenure, Cheney emerged as one of the most influential vice presidents in American history, particularly known for his strong advocacy of the war on terror following the September 11, 2001 attacks. He was a central figure in shaping U.S. policy toward Iraq and Afghanistan, positions that made him both respected and controversial.
The relationship between Trump and the Cheney family has been strained in recent years, largely due to Cheney's daughter, Liz Cheney. The former Wyoming congresswoman played a pivotal role in investigating Trump's actions surrounding the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection.
Political Alliances and Funeral Attendees
The funeral service brought together political figures from multiple administrations, highlighting Cheney's cross-party relationships and longstanding Washington career. Among the distinguished guests were former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, along with multiple former vice presidents including Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle.
Former President George W. Bush, whom Cheney served under for eight years, delivered remarks during the service. Other speakers included Liz Cheney, former NBC News correspondent Pete Williams, Cheney's cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Reiner, and several of Cheney's grandchildren, according to The Independent.
The guest list read like a who's who of Washington power players: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan all paid their respects.
Despite the political snub, Vice President JD Vance did offer condolences to the Cheney family. In comments to Breitbart News, Vance acknowledged their political disagreements while recognizing Cheney's service to the country. "Obviously, there are some political disagreements there, but he was a guy who served his country; we certainly wish his family all the best in this moment of grieving," Vance stated.
The Cheney family's political alignments became particularly clear during the 2024 presidential campaign when both Dick Cheney and his daughter Liz endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris over Trump, who ultimately won the election.
The funeral service at the National Cathedral served as both a farewell to a significant political figure and a reflection of the deep divisions within American politics, with the absence of the current administration speaking volumes about ongoing tensions within the Republican party.
