Former president Joe Biden is scheduled to attend the memorial service for former vice president Dick Cheney on Thursday, joining a group of national leaders and longtime associates gathering in Washington to honor the influential political figure. The service, set to begin at 11 a.m. ET at Washington National Cathedral, will include tributes from several individuals who worked closely with Cheney throughout his decades of involvement in public life. Former president George W. Bush, under whom Cheney served two terms as vice president, is expected to deliver remarks reflecting on their years in office and Cheney’s role in shaping national policy.
A spokeswoman for Biden confirmed his plans to be present at the ceremony. In a statement released shortly after Cheney’s death, Biden described him as someone guided by firm conservative principles who maintained a deep commitment to family. He said Cheney believed that family “is the beginning, middle, and end,” a sentiment Biden said he shared. The memorial is expected to draw hundreds of invited guests, reflecting Cheney’s long-standing presence in national government and the broad network of colleagues and officials with whom he worked.
In addition to remarks from Bush, the program will feature tributes from Jonathan Reiner, Cheneys longtime cardiologist, who worked closely with him during years of significant health challenges. Also scheduled to speak is Pete Williams, the former Pentagon spokesman who later spent decades covering national affairs. Members of Cheney’s family, including his daughter Liz Cheney and several grandchildren, will also participate in the service, offering personal reflections on his life and career.
Cheney died on November 3 following complications from pneumonia as well as cardiac and vascular disease. Reaction from current U.S. leadership was notably limited. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance did not issue statements following Cheney’s death, and a senior White House official confirmed that neither was invited to the funeral. Relations between Trump and the Cheney family have been strained for years, stemming from political disagreements and public criticism.
Although Trump did not release a proclamation marking Cheney’s passing, the White House ordered flags lowered to half-staff, citing statutory requirements governing occasions when such an action must be taken. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the decision aligned with federal law, which mandates that flags remain at half-staff from the day of death until the day of interment for a former vice president. According to individuals familiar with discussions on Capitol Hill, congressional leaders were informed there would be no formal proclamation and were advised to follow the established statute. These individuals spoke anonymously to share details of private exchanges.
Cheney’s long career in public service extended well beyond his tenure as vice president. He previously served as secretary of defense under President George H.W. Bush, overseeing military operations during a critical era in U.S. foreign policy. Before that, he was chief of staff to President Gerald Ford, becoming one of the youngest people to hold the position. Cheney also represented Wyoming in the House of Representatives, the state’s lone seat, a role his daughter Liz would later hold as well.
As leaders and family members gather in Washington, the memorial is expected to highlight both Cheney’s substantial influence on national governance and the complex legacy he leaves behind. The event offers a moment for reflection on a career that spanned several administrations and shaped numerous aspects of American political history.
