Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Reunite at Dick Cheney’s Funeral After Tense Revelations in Her New Book

Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared together in public for the first time since the release of Harris’s candid memoir, greeting one another at former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral.

Cheney, who served as vice president under President George W. Bush, died on Nov. 3 at age 84.

On Thursday, Nov. 20, Biden, former first lady Dr. Jill Biden and Harris joined other dignitaries — including former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush — at a packed service at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

The reunion came nearly two months after Harris’s memoir 107 Days was released on Sept. 23. The book recounts her whirlwind 2024 presidential campaign, which began after Biden dropped out of the race in July 2024. In it, Harris offered sharp criticism of tensions with Biden-era officials and questioned his decision to seek reelection. Biden has not responded publicly, though reports indicate some of his aides were upset by her claims, including her description of his decision-making as “reckless” and allegations that members of his team worked against her.

Harris was among the first dignitaries to arrive and took a seat in the front row. She spoke briefly with former Vice Presidents Al Gore and Dan Quayle, who sat behind her. Later, former Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, sat beside Harris.

Just before the service began, Biden — whose 83rd birthday fell on the day of the funeral — entered with Dr. Biden and walked past the front row. He greeted Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and Gore, then moved into the front pew. As he followed his wife into the pew, Biden shook hands with Harris in a brief, restrained exchange.

After they sat down, Dr. Biden and Harris chatted and smiled together.

Notably absent from the funeral were President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who were reportedly not invited. Trump has not publicly acknowledged Cheney’s death. On Nov. 4, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said only that Trump was aware of the former vice president’s passing, according to ABC News.

At the start of the service, military pallbearers carried Cheney’s U.S. flag-draped casket into the cathedral. They were followed by his wife, Lynne Cheney, who arrived in a wheelchair, and his daughter, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney.

Liz Cheney was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. She later lost her 2022 primary after Trump backed her opponent. Dick Cheney strongly supported his daughter’s reelection bid and publicly criticized Trump during that fight.

Biden’s appearance on Thursday also came as he continues treatment after revealing in May that he had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer. In late October, his daughter Ashley shared photos of him ringing the bell at Penn Medicine after finishing radiation treatment.