Following the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney on November 3, flags throughout the United States have been lowered to half-staff in accordance with federal protocol, yet the absence of personal statements from both President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has raised eyebrows. While the White House confirmed that flags were lowered as required by law, neither Trump nor DeSantis issued the usual formal proclamations or offered public condolences for Cheney, a towering and divisive figure in modern U.S. politics.
Quiet Observances and Political Tensions
Typically, the passing of a former president or vice president prompts a wave of official gestures—public statements, national proclamations, and widespread media coverage. In Cheney’s case, initial response was muted. Trump’s press secretary stated, “the president is aware of the former vice president’s passing,” and noted that flags had been lowered, but did not elaborate further. DeSantis, who last year had ordered flags lowered for other political figures and tragedies, offered no comment or proclamation for Cheney, even though flags in Florida and other states were lowered by local leaders.
The measured silence stands in contrast to past public reaction for figures such as Jimmy Carter, whose death was marked by bipartisan tributes and official recognition. Cheney’s tenure, defined by his role in post-9/11 policy and as an architect of the Iraq War, left him a polarizing presence within both major parties—especially as his daughter, Liz Cheney, became a prominent Trump critic and advocate for the January 6 investigation.
Legacy and Funeral Plans
Federal law requires flags be flown at half-staff for ten days following the death of a former vice president, from the day of death until interment. As of Thursday, November 6, Cheney’s funeral arrangements have not been publicly disclosed, although observers expect services to be held in Wyoming, his longtime home and political base.
Despite the lack of personal remarks from Trump and DeSantis, Cheney’s legacy as one of the most influential—yet controversial—vice presidents continues to spark debate across Washington and the nation. Public mourning and lowered flags remain a formal gesture of respect, even amid the ongoing political divisions his life and career came to symbolize.