Biden and Kamala Harris reunite at Dick Cheney’s funeral service following tense memoir release
WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Joe Biden and his Vice President, Kamala Harris, met in public for the first time since the release of her memoir, '107 Days,' at the funeral of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
The service for Cheney, who died on November 3 at 84, took place on Thursday, November 20, at the Washington National Cathedral.
Biden and Kamala Harris reunite at Dick Cheney’s funeral
Among the dignitaries who arrived just before the start of the funeral service were former President Joe Biden, whose 83rd birthday fell on the same day, and former first lady Dr Jill Biden, who joined others including President George W Bush and former first lady Laura Bush.
It was the first public sighting of former Biden and Kamala Harris since her memoir was released on September 23.
In the book, which detailed her 2024 presidential campaign following Biden’s exit from the race, Harris wrote critically about her relationship with Biden officials and his decision to run for reelection. Reports, including from The New Republic, have suggested that Biden’s aides were angered by her allegations that the former president was “reckless” and that his team had “worked to undermine her,” though Biden himself has not publicly commented on the memoir.
Harris was one of the first dignitaries to arrive and sat in a front-row seat, where she chatted with former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dan Quayle, and later with former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen.
As Biden and Dr Biden reached the front row, the former president greeted Republican Senator Mitch McConnell and Al Gore before entering the pew. He then exchanged a polite handshake with Harris. After they were seated, Dr Biden and Harris smiled and spoke to each other.
Top leaders gather for Dick Cheney funeral as Trump and Vance remain absent
The funeral, held at the Washington National Cathedral, was attended by several notable figures. Vice President Harris sat with multiple former vice presidents, while former President George W Bush and former first lady Laura Bush were also present to honor the man who served under him.
At the start of the service, military pallbearers carried the former vice president’s casket, draped with the US flag. They were followed by his wife, Lynne Cheney, and his daughter, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney. Notably, both President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance did not attend the service, as they were reportedly not invited.
Trump has also not publicly acknowledged Cheney’s death, with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating on November 4 only that Trump was “aware” of the news.
Biden's latest health update
Former President Biden’s appearance at the funeral also comes amid his ongoing health journey.
Biden announced in May that he had “aggressive” prostate cancer, and his daughter Ashley shared images in late October of him “ringing the bell at Penn Medicine to celebrate the end of radiation treatment.”
