US dignitaries gather for Dick Cheney’s funeral but Trump, Obama and Clinton not in attendance – live | Donald Trump
Dignitaries gather for former Vice President Cheney’s funeral
Several American dignitaries, including former Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush, are attending Dick Cheney’s funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington DC today.
The former vice president died earlier this month at the age of 84.. His daughter, former MP Liz Cheney, will speak at today’s service. As we noted earlier, Donald Trump And J.D. Vance would not have been invited to the funeral. However, all living former vice presidents will be present. This includes Mike Pencewho was Trump’s right-hand man during his first administration.
My colleague, David Smithwill be at the cathedral and will provide updates.
Key events
One of Cheney’s seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Perry, just noted that the former vice president “was tough and good-hearted.”
“Dick Cheney wasn’t just my grandfather. He was my best friend, my hero, my role model and the most influential person in my life,” said Perry, daughter of former Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
Vance offers condolences to Cheney during speech at Breitbart event
J.D. Vancewho is not attending Dick Cheney’s funeral today, offered his condolences to the former vice president’s family.
“Obviously there are political disagreements, but he was a guy who served his country. We certainly wish his family all the best in this time of grief,” Vance said, during a speech organized by the far-right media outlet Breitbart.
Bush recalls that Cheney offered to step down as vice president in 2004, in case the 43rd president wanted to replace him.
“I thought about it for a while,” Bush said today. “But after four years of seeing how he treated people, how he took responsibility, how he handled pressure and took hits, I came to the conclusion that they are no better than Dick Cheney.”
Bush noted that “in a profession that attracts chatterboxes,” Cheney was “a thinker and a listener.”
George W Bush remembers his vice-president’s ‘full and determined’ life
I speak now, the former president George W. Bush remembers Dick Cheney – who served as his vice president throughout his administration – as a “stoic man.”
“As I quickly discovered in 2000, when you pick one Cheney, you get four,” Bush joked of the close relationship his vice president enjoyed with his wife, Lynne, and their two daughters, Liz and Mary. “His busy and determined life was an adventure they lived together. In such a close-knit family, we dread the day when the circle will be broken.”
Reiner added that Cheney showed “true courage” in the face of the “real mortal terror” he faced while suffering from a heart condition for most of his adult life.
We now hear Dr. Jonathan ReinerDick Cheney’s cardiologist.
“I want to thank the many doctors and nurses here today who took such magnificent care of the vice president for 27 years,” Reiner said. A reminder that Cheney suffered several heart attacks during his life and ultimately died from pneumonia and heart and vascular disease.
Cheney’s casket is now placed at the altar and her family takes their seats.
Although several prominent political figures will be present at Dick Cheney’s funeral today, those absent include Bill And Hillary Clinton And Barack And Michelle Obama.
A spokesperson for Bill Clinton said the former president had an unavoidable scheduling conflict that prevented him from attending today’s service.
Covered with the American flag, Cheney’s coffin has just been transported into the National Cathedral by the military honor guard. Behind him were members of his family, including his widow. Lynne and eldest daughter Liz Cheney.
Front row at the funeral of Dick Cheney, the former vice president Kamala Harris and his predecessor, Mike Pencesit next to each other.
We expect former President George W. Bush, where Cheney was vice president, to deliver a speech today.
