Political shock in US as Trump and Vance excluded from Dick Cheney's funeral

On Thursday, 20 November 2025, a funeral service for former US Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most influential figures in the modern Republican Party, was held at Washington National Cathedral.

The ceremony was attended by former presidents, vice presidents, and senior political figures from both parties. However, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were not present, as they had not been invited.

Honouring Cheney

Those in attendance included former presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, former first ladies Laura Bush and Jill Biden, as well as former vice presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore and Dan Quayle.
In his eulogy, Bush described Cheney as a leader devoted to public service, someone who could always be relied on and who raised the standards of those around him.

"His abilities were self-evident, without need of calculation or self-promotion," Bush said. "His talent and restraint exceeded his ego."

Bush also recalled that Cheney helped him choose a vice-presidential running mate during the 2000 campaign, and that he put his own name forward only after careful consideration. Cheney served two terms as vice president and became one of the most influential holders of the office in modern times.

Political context

Cheney was known for his conservatism and for shaping US foreign policy, particularly regarding the war in Iraq. At the same time, he supported progressive positions on certain social issues, including same-sex marriage. In his later years, Cheney became a vocal critic of Trump, especially after his daughter Liz Cheney condemned the former president for his role in the events of 6 January 2021.

Mike Pence noted that Cheney gave him important advice on serving as vice president, in particular, to always review the President’s Daily Brief before any meetings.

Details of ceremony

Cheney received full military honours. The pallbearers included members of his security detail, former chiefs of staff, and photographer David Hume Kennerly. The service was private, and attendance was by invitation only.

One of the pages in the funeral booklet featured a quote by naturalist John Muir: "The mountains are calling and I must go."

The funeral reflected a time when Washington could bring together political figures from both parties to honour significant public servants, despite today’s heightened political polarisation.