Washington was struck by a deafening silence this week as the White House offered no public words of condolence on the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
The nation learned of Cheney's passing on Monday at the age of 84, yet President Donald Trump and his administration have remained conspicuously quiet on the matter, as New York Post reports.
Flags at the executive mansion were lowered to half-staff, a gesture mandated by the U.S. Flag Code, which requires such action from the day of death until interment for a former vice president. But beyond this legal obligation, the White House has shown no initiative to honor Cheney's decades of service. Isn't it peculiar that a nation built on respect for its leaders can't muster a simple statement of sympathy?
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the media during a briefing, confirming that President Trump is aware of Cheney's passing but offering little else. "I don't believe the White House is involved in that planning, or at least hasn't gotten to it yet," Leavitt stated, sidestepping questions about funeral arrangements or whether Trump might speak at the service. One might wonder if this administration has a calendar too full to pencil in a moment of national respect.
The lack of involvement feels like more than just an oversight when you consider the history between Trump and the Cheney family. Trump has long criticized Dick Cheney, branding him a "warmonger" in public statements over the years. That label stings, but it’s hard to argue that Cheney's tenure under George W. Bush didn’t court controversy with its hawkish policies.
Then there's the ongoing feud with Cheney's daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who stood as a leading Republican voice on the House select committee probing Trump's role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. The bad blood there is thicker than a Wyoming winter, and it’s no secret that neither side has extended an olive branch. Still, personal disagreements shouldn’t eclipse a moment to acknowledge a life of public service.
Adding another layer to this saga, both Dick and Liz Cheney threw their support behind then-Vice President Kamala Harris in last year's election, a move that surely didn’t sit well with the current administration. Dick Cheney didn’t mince words in his endorsement, declaring, "In our nation's 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump." That’s a verbal haymaker, and while conservatives might bristle at such harshness, it’s a reminder that Cheney never shied from speaking his mind.
Continuing his critique, Cheney added, "He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him." Such statements undoubtedly deepened the rift with Trump, but they also reflect a conviction that many on the right might quietly respect, even if they disagree. Principles over party—shouldn’t that be a conservative value worth defending?
Yet, the White House's response—or lack thereof—suggests that past grudges are taking precedence over protocol. Leavitt faced pointed questions from the press about whether Trump had reached out to the Cheney family or if there were plans for the former vice president to lie in honor at the Capitol. Her noncommittal answers only fuel the perception of a deliberate snub.
Cheney’s legacy as vice president under George W. Bush is a complicated one, marked by significant influence on national security policy and a reputation for unapologetic toughness. Pictures from August 2004 show him alongside Bush, a visual reminder of an era when conservative leadership was defined by resolve in the face of global threats. Today, though, that legacy seems buried under the weight of personal and political spats.
Contrast that with a more recent image of Cheney with his daughter Liz, captured on August 16, 2022, showcasing a family united in their opposition to Trump’s brand of politics. It’s a stark illustration of how far the Republican Party has fractured since Cheney’s time in office. One can’t help but ask if this silence from the White House is less about the man and more about the message his family continues to send.
President Trump, photographed speaking to reporters on Air Force One just days ago on November 2, has had ample opportunity to address Cheney's passing. Yet, no statement has come, leaving many to speculate whether this is a calculated move or simply a reflection of other priorities. Either way, it’s a missed chance to rise above the fray.
For conservatives who value tradition, the absence of any public acknowledgment from the White House feels like a departure from decorum. Sure, Cheney’s criticism of Trump was sharp, and his endorsement of Harris was a slap to the MAGA movement, but death has a way of demanding dignity over division. Shouldn’t a leader of Trump’s stature set the tone for unity, even if just for a day?
The nation watches as flags fly at half-staff, a silent tribute dictated by law rather than heart. This administration’s reticence risks sending a message that personal scores trump national respect—a dangerous precedent in an already polarized time. Let’s hope the coming days bring a gesture, however small, to honor a man who, flaws and all, shaped our history.
In the end, Dick Cheney’s passing deserves more than a statutory flag-lowering; it warrants a nod to the complexity of his service and the weight of his contributions. As conservatives, we can critique his policies without erasing his place in our story. Perhaps it’s time for the White House to remember that strength lies in graciousness, not grudges.
