To honor the late Dick Cheney, Gov. Katie Hobbs orders flags to fly at half-staff

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday ordered state government buildings to fly flags at half-staff.

Hobbs issued the edict until the interment of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who died on Monday due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.

The date for the late Republican’s interment has not been announced.

“Vice President Cheney was a dedicated public servant, serving our country under several presidential administrations beyond his two terms as vice president,” Hobbs said in an announcement.

Gov. Katie Hobbs honors Dick Cheney by ordering half-staff flags

Cheney, 84, left behind a powerful political legacy. He was in charge of the military during the Persian Gulf War when George H.W. Bush was president. Later, he came back to government as vice president under George W. Bush.

Hobbs’ order for flags to fly at half-staff covers state buildings. However, individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to lower their flags as a tribute, too.

Cheney was a polarizing yet powerful figure in his lifetime, making history as a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq. His family name endured long after he left office, remaining influential in large part due to his daughter, Liz, who followed in his political footsteps and became a member of Congress.

Father and daughter bucked widespread Republican pressure by supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid in 2024.

Hobbs, a Democrat, beat President Donald Trump to the punch when it came to giving the late Cheney his flowers. As of 2:30 p.m., Trump has not issued a statement on Cheney’s passing.

“He was a leader who respected political differences and was steadfast in his support of our nation’s founding principles,” Hobbs said. “Our thoughts are with the Cheney family in this time of remembrance and memorial.”

However, despite the lack of a response to Cheney’s death from the president, flags were lowered to half-staff at the White House on Tuesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said this was done “in accordance with statutory law.” 

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