White House lowers flags but Trump administration offers no statement on Dick Cheney’s death, highlighting their longstanding political rift.
WASHINGTON: The White House lowered flags to half-staff on Tuesday following the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
President Donald Trump and his administration remained silent about the Republican politician’s passing.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the White House had not issued any statement marking Cheney’s death.
Trump also did not comment on social media about the former vice president’s passing at age 84.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt offered only brief acknowledgement when prompted by a reporter.
“I know the president is aware of the former vice president’s passing,” Leavitt said on Tuesday.
Cheney served two terms as vice president under President George W. Bush.
He represented a brand of Republican politics that clashed sharply with Trump’s populist approach.
The divide deepened after Cheney and his daughter Liz became fierce critics of Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Liz Cheney served as vice chair of the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
She said Trump had “summoned a violent mob” and “caused a constitutional crisis.”
Her father publicly supported her stance in a 2022 campaign ad.
“There has never been an individual who was a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Dick Cheney said.
Trump frequently attacked both Cheneys during his 2024 presidential campaign.
He accused the former vice president of leading the U.S. into “endless wars.”
Trump also mocked Liz Cheney’s defeat in Wyoming’s Republican primary.
At an October 31 campaign event, Trump said he was “never a fan of Cheney.”
He expressed surprise that the former vice president backed his daughter over him. – Reuters
