White House lowers flags for Dick Cheney
The White House lowered their flags in honor of Vice President Dick Cheney who died at age 84.
- Former Vice President Dick Cheney died on Monday, Nov. 3, at the age of 84.
- President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have not yet publicly commented on Cheney’s death.
- Cheney and Trump had a contentious relationship, with Cheney calling Trump a threat to the republic.
Former Vice President Richard (Dick) Cheney died Monday, Nov. 3. Flags have been flown at half-staff since at the White House and all across the United States.
Four days later, President Donald Trump has yet to address Cheney’s death or issue the traditional proclamation ordering flags to be lowered, although Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that he was “aware” of Cheney’s passing and flags were lowered “in accordance with statutory law.” Despite belonging to the same party, the two men had a contentious relationship.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also has not publicly commented on his fellow Republican leader or issued his own proclamation, although he ordered flags to be lowered last year in honor of former President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. senator and Florida governor Bob Graham, both Democrats. He has also ordered half-staff flags in 2025 for numerous fallen first responders and law enforcement, shooting victims, Pope Francis, assorted local officials and pro wrestler Hulk Hogan.
Both men issued proclamations in September for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Few Republican politicians have had much to say about Cheney, the “War on Terror” architect and a powerfully influential and controversial figure under former President George W. Bush who arguably paved the way for the current Trump administration with his efforts to establish the “unitary executive theory” and draw more power to the executive branch of government.
Florida politicians react to Cheney’s death
Jeb Bush, former Florida governor and brother of George W. Bush, called Cheney a “wonderful person and a great patriot” in an X post Tuesday.
In his own X post, Sen. Rick Scott, also a former governor of Florida, said that Cheney dedicated his life to serving the country. “Ann and I are praying for the Cheney family and all who knew him during this time,” he said.
As of Nov. 6, there have been no public comments from Sen. Ashley Moody, DeSantis’ former attorney general, or Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former senator from Florida.
There has also been no public mention from Florida Rep. Byron Donalds, R-District 19 and the current frontrunner for the Republican candidate for governor in 2026.
Cheney, 84, who had suffered several heart attacks over the years, died surrounded by family from complications of pneumonia, and cardiac and vascular disease.
Why hasn’t Trump addressed Cheney’s death?
It may not be surprising that Trump is not honoring Cheney’s passing.
One of the last things Cheney did in public was call Trump a threat to the nation in a 2022 ad supporting the ultimately unsuccessful re-election of his daughter, former Wyoming congressperson Liz Cheney, who voted for Trump’s second impeachment and was vice chair of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection. She later endorsed and even campaigned for Trump’s opposition, former vice president and Democrat Kamala Harris.
A few days before his election to a second term in November 2024, Trump called Liz Cheney “a deranged person” and “a very dumb individual” at a campaign event in Glendale, Arizona. “She’s a radical war hawk. Let’s put her with a rifle standing there with nine barrels shooting at her, OK?” he said.
“In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Cheney said in the ad. “He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him.
“He is a coward,” Cheney said.
In 2024, Cheney said he was voting for Harris for president.
Do flags fly at half-staff after death of former vice presidents?
Yes. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, flags are flown at half-staff after the death of a vice president.
How long do flags fly at half-staff for the death of a former vice president?
The flag is flown at half-staff from the day of death until interment of a former vice president, according to the Flag Code.
Flags are flown at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a president or former president, which occurred after the death of former President Jimmy Carter, which overlapped Trump’s inauguration in January.
Where should US flag be flown at half-staff for Cheney?
The flag should fly at half-staff at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
When, where will Dick Cheney’s funeral take place?
As of Thursday, Nov. 6, details on Cheney’s funeral or final resting place have not been made public by his family or the White House.
Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and grew up in Wyoming, where he later retired. His funeral would likely take place in one of those two states.
Will Dick Cheney lie in state?
Cheney could conceivably receive a state funeral, as presidents and other prominent politicians have in the past. Those that do lie in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC for mourners to pass by.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Republican leadership was reviewing “protocol” about the possibility, The Hill reported.
“I think we’re checking the protocols on that. I’ll let you know soon,” the outlet reported Thune told reporters.
How to correctly fly your flag at half-staff
On days when the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised “briskly” to the top of the pole for an instant and then lowered slowly to the half-staff position, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Before lowering the flag, it should again be raised to the top before being lowered for the day.
Do flags fly at half-mast or half-staff?
On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast.
On shore, flags are flown at half-staff.
Contributing: Susan Page, Melina Khan, USA Today
