Farewell to Dick Cheney: A Final Tribute Amidst Political Tensions
At the Washington National Cathedral, former President George W. Bush led the eulogies for the late Dick Cheney, a former U.S. Vice President, amidst a gathering tinged by notable absences. The exclusion of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance from the funeral list underscored the strained relations between the Cheneys and Trump, whose presidency marked a shift away from the neoconservative policies of the Bush administration, as reported by Axios.
Former President Joe Biden, who once described Cheney as “the most dangerous vice president we’ve had probably in American history,” joined other living former vice presidents, including Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle, to pay their respects. Cheney passed away on November 3 at the age of 84 due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
Although prominent figures like former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, along with their spouses, were absent, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and members of the U.S. Supreme Court were present. Among attendees, Dr. Anthony Fauci was seen beside MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, as noted by social media users online.
In his tribute, Bush depicted Cheney as a loyal friend and dedicated public servant, emphasizing, “This was a vice president totally devoted to protecting the United States and its interests. There was never any agenda or angle beyond that.” He reflected on Cheney’s initial reluctance to join the ticket in 2000 and his offer to step aside in 2004. However, Bush reaffirmed his decision, stating, “On that score, history should record that I chose my vice president not once, but twice.”
Liz Cheney, the former representative of Wyoming and Cheney’s daughter, also spoke, highlighting her father’s belief in prioritizing national interest over partisan loyalty. She stated, “Dick Cheney became a Republican, but he knew that bonds of party must always yield to the single bond we share as Americans.”
Emotional tributes flowed from various speakers, including Cheney’s cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Reiner, former NBC News correspondent Pete Williams, and Cheney’s grandchildren.
Despite the lowering of flags in his honor, the White House response was subdued, with Trump remaining silent and press secretary Karoline Leavitt merely acknowledging the president’s awareness of Cheney’s passing. The relationship between Trump and the Cheneys has been fraught since the U.S. Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, with both Dick and Liz Cheney openly criticizing Trump as a threat to the republic.
Liz Cheney, while serving as the Republican Vice Chair of the January 6th Committee, became a prominent critic of Trump. Her father made headlines in 2022 with an advertisement condemning Trump as a “coward.” In 2024, Dick Cheney notably endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
