In Washington D.C., Democrats and Republicans gathered to commemorate the life of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney at his funeral service.
Cheney, who served alongside President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, passed away in early November at the age of 84, due to complications arising from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
During the eulogy, former President Bush, a Republican, remarked, “In a profession often dominated by orators, he distinguished himself as a thinker and a listener.” Former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, was also in attendance.
Considered one of the most influential vice presidents in American history, Cheney played a pivotal role in shaping President Bush’s “war on terror” following the 9/11 attacks and was an early proponent of the Iraq invasion.
At the Thursday ceremony held at Washington National Cathedral, President Bush disclosed that Cheney had offered to withdraw from the 2004 re-election ticket amidst a challenging campaign.
“I came to the conclusion that they do not come any better than Dick Cheney,” Bush stated to those gathered.
He further added that Cheney embodied “everything a president should expect in a second-in-command.”
In recent years, Cheney had become a figure of disapproval within the Republican Party after he publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s refusal to acknowledge the results of the 2020 election.
President Trump also had a strained relationship with Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney, the former congresswoman representing Wyoming.
During the Thursday service, his daughter honored his memory, reflecting on his legacy.
“He understood that partisan affiliations must always give way to the unifying bond we share as Americans,” she declared. “For him, the choice between upholding the Constitution and defending a political party was never a question.”
During last year’s White House election, Dick and Liz Cheney both endorsed the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris.
Vice President Harris attended the funeral alongside former Vice Presidents Mike Pence and Al Gore.
Neither President Trump nor Vice President JD Vance were present. Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, both Democrats, also did not attend.
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