Flags at Half Mast: Honoring Dick Cheney

A Nation's Tribute: Flags at Half Mast for Dick Cheney

On November 4, 2025, the American flag at the White House and federal buildings across the nation was lowered to half-mast in a solemn tribute to former Vice President Dick Cheney. The gesture, mandated by federal law, honored Cheney's decades of public service despite the deep political divides he left behind.

The Significance of Half-Staff Protocol

The lowering of American flags to half-staff is a powerful symbol of national mourning. According to U.S. Code Title 4, flags must be flown at half-mast for 30 days after the death of a former president or 10 days for a current/former vice president. This tradition transcends politics, serving as a non-partisan acknowledgment of an individual's contribution to the nation.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the action, stating: "Flags have been lowered to half staff in accordance with statutory law." President Trump was noted to be "aware" of Cheney's passing, though no personal statement or formal proclamation was issued.

Dick Cheney: A Polarizing Legacy

Dick Cheney, who served as Vice President from 2001-2009, died at 84 after a career marked by both power and controversy. He played a pivotal role in the nation's response to 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In later years, he became equally known for his fierce opposition to Donald Trump.

Cheney's transformation from a stalwart Republican leader to Trump's most prominent critic began after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. He condemned Trump as "a coward" and "threat to our republic", declaring no individual in U.S. history had been more dangerous to democracy. His daughter Liz Cheney, who led the House January 6 Committee investigation, echoed these sentiments.

A Final Political Stand

The political rift between Cheney and Trump culminated in the 2024 election when both father and daughter endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Dick Cheney stated: "In our nation's 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump."

Trump responded by dismissing Cheney as "an irrelevant RINO" and deriding Liz Cheney's electoral loss. He previously called for the jailing of members of the January 6 Committee, including his daughter.

The Meaning of the Gesture

While the flag-lowering honors Cheney's office, it also reflects the complexities of American political discourse. The protocol compels respect for the office regardless of personal views, while the nation remains deeply divided over Cheney's legacy and his final political acts.

As flags returned to full-staff the following day, the temporary symbol of mourning served as a reminder that even in intense political polarization, certain traditions of respect endure for those who have held the nation's highest offices.