Thu Nov 20 19:44:15 UTC 2025: ## News Article:

Washington D.C. – A bipartisan gathering of political heavyweights convened at the National Cathedral on Thursday to commemorate the life of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away on November 3rd at the age of 84. The memorial service drew a distinguished crowd including former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Cheney, who served under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, is remembered as a powerful figure in Republican politics. He is most notably associated with spearheading the invasion of Iraq and shaping the “war on terror” policies, which have been criticized for human rights abuses.

While the service highlighted Cheney’s legacy, the shadow of the Iraq War loomed, despite limited direct mention. Speakers like former President Bush praised Cheney’s service and friendship.

A notable absence was that of former President Donald Trump, who, along with his current Vice President, JD Vance, was reportedly uninvited.

Cheney’s influence extended decades, beginning with his role as Chief of Staff to President Gerald Ford at just 34. He later served in the House of Representatives and as Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush. However, his time as Vice President under George W. Bush would ultimately define his controversial legacy.

Following the 9/11 attacks, Cheney advocated for an expansive view of executive power and promoted the now-discredited claim that Iraq possessed “weapons of mass destruction.” He defended controversial tactics, including enhanced interrogation, in the name of national security. These policies have been widely condemned for contributing to instability in the Middle East and leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths.

Despite defending his record, Cheney had become increasingly estranged from the Republican Party, particularly through his vocal criticism of Donald Trump, whom he deemed a “threat to our republic.” Cheney supported Vice President Harris in the 2024 election.

His daughter, Liz Cheney, further distanced the family from Trump by serving on the January 6th Committee, ultimately leading to her ouster from the House.

Despite the controversies, Cheney’s family offered a portrait of a loving and dedicated man. His daughter Liz described him as “a giant to the end, a lion of a man, who loved and served this great republic.”

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