It was one of those Washington mornings where everyone expected to see all the usual faces. But when Dick Cheney was laid to rest on Nov. 20, a few very familiar names were missing from the crowd.
The funeral took place at the Washington National Cathedral. It brought together former presidents, lawmakers, cabinet members, military leaders, and family friends. Nearly 1,000 people filled the long rows of seats.
Joe Biden and George W. Bush were the only living presidents in attendance. Bush spoke during the service. Liz Cheney delivered a heartfelt eulogy for her father that held the room still.
But President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were nowhere in sight. According to reports, they were not invited.
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Trump’s rocky history with the Cheney family has lasted for years. His public fight with Liz Cheney reached a peak after she became one of the 10 House Republicans who voted for his second impeachment following the Jan. 6 attack.
Her decision cost her a leadership role in the House GOP. It later cost her a seat in Congress. Through it all, her father defended her without hesitation.
In a campaign ad that echoed across the political world, Dick Cheney said, “In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.”
He continued, “He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him.”
Then came the line that really stuck. “A real man wouldn’t lie to his supporters. He lost his election, and he lost big. I know it, he knows it, and, deep down, I think most Republicans know it.”
With comments like that coming straight from Cheney himself, the lack of an invitation was hardly surprising.
The White House did not offer much public reaction. On Nov. 4, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the president was simply “aware” of Cheney’s passing. “I know the president is aware of the former vice president’s passing. And as you saw, flags have been lowered to half staff in accordance with statutory law,” she said.
At the time the funeral began, Trump was scheduled to receive a routine intelligence briefing. It was a quiet slot on his morning schedule, far from the cathedral and far from a moment that might have turned awkward.
Vice President JD Vance was also not invited to the service. That meant second lady Usha Vance stayed away as well.
Vance spent the morning speaking at a Breitbart event. There, he offered a short and cautious comment about his predecessor. “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 said.
The Cheney family released a tribute when he passed, saying Dick Cheney “served our nation” in many roles over decades. They added, “Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.”
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
