Why were Donald Trump and JD Vance not at Dick Cheney’s funeral in Washington?

President Donald Trump was the highest-profile absentee from the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney, which took place in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

According to a White House official, Trump and current Vice President JD Vance were not invited to the event, an unusual occurrence in American politics.

A break from presidential tradition

Sitting presidents normally attend the funerals of former presidents and vice presidents. Trump’s absence may have come as a result of Cheney’s unhappiness with the current leader’s involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Cheney’s long-running criticism of Trump

Following the 2021 attack, Cheney said there was “no greater threat to our Republic” than Trump in a campaign ad for his daughter Liz. She went on to lose the August 2022 Republican primary in Wyoming, mainly because of her opposition to Trump and her vocal support for his second impeachment.

Former leaders gather to honor Cheney

While Trump and Vance stayed away, old-school Republicans, including former President George W. Bush, who Cheney served under, were in attendance. Bush delivered a eulogy at the service.

Former President Joe Biden, former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence and Al Gore, as well as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, were also there.

Cheney dead at 84: what was the cause of death?

Cheney died Nov. 3 at the age of 84 “due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease,” his family said in a statement to the media.

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