Trump and Vance Not Invited to Dick Cheney’s Funeral, While Biden, Bush and Former Vice Presidents Attend

By Md Zamal Uddin

Former Vice President Dick Cheney was honored on Thursday in Washington, DC, with a state-level funeral attended by leading American political figures from both major parties. The high-profile event highlighted Cheney’s long influence in American politics — but also underscored deep divisions in today’s political landscape, as Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were notably not invited.

The funeral ceremony, held at the historic Washington National Cathedral, showcased a rare moment of bipartisan unity as thousands gathered to pay their respects to one of the most consequential — and controversial — figures in modern U.S. history.

A Bipartisan Gathering — Without Trump and Vance

According to insider reports, neither former President Donald Trump nor current Vice President JD Vance received an invitation to the event. The decision surprised few political observers, given Cheney’s public break with Trump in recent years, especially after the January 6 Capitol attack and Trump’s feud with Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney.

While the White House and Trump’s team have not issued detailed comments, it is known that Trump has not publicly acknowledged Cheney’s passing. Axios first reported their absence from the guest list.

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Who Attended the Funeral? A Powerful List of Dignitaries

Cheney’s funeral drew a remarkable number of prominent leaders:

Former Presidents

George W. Bush
Joe Biden

Former Vice Presidents

Kamala Harris
Mike Pence
Al Gore
Dan Quayle

Other Leaders and Officials

Chief Justice John Roberts
Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi
Senate Majority Leader John Thune
Former Senate Leader Mitch McConnell
Former and current Cabinet members from multiple administrations

The event served as a symbolic reminder of the earlier political era in which Cheney served — one defined by rivalry but also by institutional respect and bipartisan recognition during moments of national significance.

Full Military Honors for a Former Vice President

Dick Cheney, who served as Vice President from 2001 to 2009, received full military honors, reflecting his powerful impact on U.S. national security policy.

Military body bearers escorted the casket, and the service included emotional speeches from:

George W. Bush
Former Rep. Liz Cheney
Members of the Cheney family, including grandchildren

The funeral program also featured a symbolic quote from American naturalist John Muir:
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”

A Complicated Political Legacy

Cheney’s legacy remains deeply complex.

Key roles in U.S. government:

Vice President (2001–2009)
Secretary of Defense
White House Chief of Staff
Congressman from Wyoming

He was widely considered one of the most influential vice presidents in American history, especially during the post-9/11 era. His leadership during the Iraq War made him a major global figure — but also made him deeply unpopular among critics.

Why Trump Was Excluded

Although Cheney once supported Trump during his 2016 election, their relationship deteriorated sharply. Cheney publicly labeled Trump “a coward” in 2022 and described him as a “threat to our republic.”
Liz Cheney's leading role on the January 6 Congressional Committee further intensified the rift.

In contrast, former Vice President Mike Pence shared warm memories of Cheney’s advice to him in 2016 about national security and daily intelligence briefings.

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The White House Response

The current administration offered a reserved reaction following Cheney’s death. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump was “aware” of the news and that national flags had been lowered to half-staff.

Meanwhile, JD Vance offered short remarks saying Cheney had “served his country” and extended condolences to the family.

Cheney’s Impact on American Politics Lives On

Despite political controversies, Cheney’s influence on U.S. foreign policy, national defense strategy, and the structure of the modern vice presidency remains undisputed. His funeral brought together leaders from across the political spectrum, even amid today’s polarized climate.

The absence of Trump and Vance may highlight the deep political divisions of the current era, but the funeral also reflected a moment of unity and respect for a figure who shaped decades of American policy.