Bipartisan Gathering Honors Cheney at National Cathedral, Current Leaders Absent

A rare display of bipartisanship unfolded at Washington National Cathedral Thursday as political figures from across the spectrum gathered to honor former Vice President Dick Cheney at his invitation-only funeral service. The solemn event brought together former presidents and vice presidents spanning decades, though notably absent were the current occupants of those offices.

Former President George W. Bush delivered a moving eulogy for his one-time second-in-command, describing Cheney as “solid and rare and reliable.” Bush, seated alongside his wife Laura, praised Cheney’s restraint and talent, noting that his capabilities exceeded his ego, calling him “smart and polished, without airs.”

The front row of the cathedral featured a striking tableau of American political leadership past. Former President Joe Biden, who succeeded Cheney as vice president, attended with his wife Jill. Despite their political differences, Biden had previously described Cheney as a “decent man” who provided him with “extremely helpful” advice during the transition of power. In a statement after Cheney’s November 3 death, Biden acknowledged that while they disagreed politically, both men shared a fundamental belief in family values.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris was seated near former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen. The seating arrangement highlighted the changing dynamics of American politics, with Harris having received Cheney’s endorsement in the 2024 presidential election against Donald Trump. Pence, who served under Trump, revealed in an interview before the service that Cheney had recently affirmed his decision to certify the 2020 election results, telling him, “You did the right thing.”

The service also brought together other former vice presidents, including Al Gore, who handed the office to Cheney after the contentious 2000 election, and Dan Quayle, who has noted how Cheney expanded the traditional scope of the vice presidency during his tenure.

Conspicuously absent were President Donald Trump and current Vice President JD Vance, neither of whom received invitations. The omission reflected the deep political divide that emerged in Cheney’s later years, when he became increasingly critical of Trump and publicly endorsed Harris in the 2024 election, stating that Trump could “never be trusted with power again.”

Trump, who has frequently criticized both Dick Cheney and his daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney, remained publicly silent about the former vice president’s death and did not issue a presidential proclamation as is customary for notable public figures. The White House did lower its flags to half-staff, which press secretary Karoline Leavitt described as being done “in accordance with statutory law.”

Speaking at a separate event on Thursday, Vance acknowledged the political differences but offered condolences to Cheney’s family, stating, “He was a guy who served his country. We certainly wish his family all the best in this moment of grieving.”

Former Democratic presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were invited but did not attend the service.

The funeral brought together political rivals who, despite profound policy disagreements, demonstrated respect for Cheney’s decades of public service. The event served as a reminder of an earlier political era when partisan differences, though significant, did not necessarily prevent personal relationships and mutual respect across party lines.

As the nation continues to navigate a deeply polarized political landscape, the gathering at Washington National Cathedral offered a brief glimpse of civility and recognition of shared American institutions that transcend individual political fortunes.