WASHINGTON: Former US Vice President Dick Cheney, a defining figure in modern American statecraft and the “War on Terror,” was honored Thursday at a funeral attended by Washington’s political and military elite. President Donald Trump, however, was notably absent from the ceremony.
The Washington National Cathedral hosted over 1,000 guests, including former presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, as well as every living former vice president — Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle. Trump and his vice president JD Vance were not invited.
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Cheney’s daughter Liz Cheney, who famously opposed Trump within the Republican Party, and Bush delivered tributes highlighting Cheney’s intellect, strategic vision, and steady leadership during America’s most challenging periods. Mike Pence called him “an American patriot who served this country like very few in our history.”
Widely regarded as the most powerful vice president in US history, Cheney transformed the traditionally ceremonial role into one of significant influence, helping shape national security policy and expand presidential authority during the Bush administration.
Historians and officials lauded Cheney for his strategic clarity and role in steering the country through the aftermath of 9/11, though his legacy remains a subject of debate due to the controversial decisions made during the War on Terror.
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