GOP Old Guard Gathers, Trump Snubbed at Cheney Rites

In a powerful display of Washington’s shifting political allegiances and enduring divides, former President Donald Trump and Ohio Senator JD Vance were notably excluded from the funeral service for former Vice President Dick Cheney. The solemn event, held on Thursday at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., served as a poignant gathering for traditional Republican figures and a bipartisan array of current and past leaders, a White House official confirmed.

A Deliberate Exclusion

The absence of Trump and Vance was not accidental but a deliberate decision by the organizers, signaling the deep chasm that has opened within the Republican party in recent years. Instead of the populist wing represented by Trump, the pews were filled with figures from Cheney’s political era – a roster of “old-school Republicans” who once held significant sway in the nation’s capital. The guest list underscored a clear preference for those who align with a more traditional conservative ideology, a stark contrast to the modern GOP landscape shaped by the Trump movement.

Honoring a Republican Titan

Dick Cheney, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 84, was remembered for his formidable career as Vice President under George W. Bush and his reputation as a Republican defense hawk. He had, in his later years, become an outspoken critic of the current political climate, particularly President Trump. During the 11 a.m. service, former President George W. Bush, 79, delivered the eulogy, offering a heartfelt tribute to his former second-in-command. Bush carefully avoided any mention of past power struggles, choosing instead to laud Cheney’s unwavering dedication. “They don’t come any better than Dick Cheney,” Bush stated, adding that “he was everything a president should expect in a second-in-command.”

A Bipartisan Gathering

The congregation itself was a remarkable blend of political figures, reflecting Cheney’s long-standing influence across the aisle. Seated prominently in the front pews was a bipartisan assembly that included current President Joe Biden, former Vice Presidents Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Al Gore, and Dan Quayle. Also present were former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. While many prominent figures attended, some notable absences included former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. A spokesperson for Clinton cited an unavoidable scheduling conflict for his inability to attend. In an unexpected turn that perhaps best illustrated the profound reshaping of the nation’s political landscape, liberal MSNBC host Rachel Maddow was also observed among the attendees.

The Trump-Cheney Rift

Trump’s exclusion from the funeral came as little surprise to political observers, given his well-documented animosity toward Cheney’s daughter, Liz Cheney. Liz, a former Republican congresswoman, served as the vice-chair of the House January 6 committee and was a vocal critic of Trump’s role in the Capitol riot. Her deep Republican ties and her status as the third-ranking House GOP member were crucial for the committee’s objective credentials, a fact that deeply angered Trump. His displeasure led him to endorse her primary challenger in the 2022 midterms, contributing to her electoral defeat. Both Dick and Liz Cheney, once cornerstones of the Republican establishment, have publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for the 2024 election, further cementing their break from the Trump-led faction of the party.

The funeral of Dick Cheney, therefore, became more than just a memorial; it was a powerful political statement, highlighting the deep ideological rifts that continue to define the Republican party and the broader American political spectrum. The gathering underscored a clear delineation between the traditional conservative guard and the populist movement that has redefined the GOP, leaving little room for reconciliation in the present climate.

Source: The Guardian