Lindsey Graham funeral updates: Trump says ‘Lindsey liked war’ as he recalls late ally ahead of National Cathedral service
World leaders including Volodymyr Zelensky and Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to attend service remembering late Republican lawmaker who served South Carolina for more than two decades
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Ahead of Lindsey Graham’s funeral service today, President Donald Trump said the late senator never saw a war “that he didn’t like.”
Trump called into Fox News this morning to reflect on the South Carolina Republican, who was one of the most hawkish members of Congress, often pressing Trump to take a tougher line on Iran and to bolster Ukraine against Russia.
“Lindsey liked war,” the president said. “I jokingly say, and there’s nothing funny about it, but he’s never seen a war that he didn’t like. He was very much into that, and you know for good reason he felt that way.”
The body of the 71-year-old senator – who died unexpectedly on July 11 after an aortic rupture – will be brought to the U.S. Capitol’s Rotunda, where a short private ceremony will be held in recognition of his service in the Senate.
His funeral will follow at Washington National Cathedral at 2:00 p.m., according to his sister Sen. Darline Graham, who has been appointed to fill his seat.
Trump is among those scheduled to speak. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be among those in attendance.
While closed to the public, Tuesday’s events will be livestreamed online. Additional services are planned in South Carolina Wednesday.
JD Vance arrives at US Capitol for Lindsey Graham service
Vice President JD Vance has arrived at the Capitol for a service for Lindsey Graham.
The body of the 71-year-old senator will be brought to the Rotunda, where a brief private ceremony will honor his more than two decades of service in the Senate. The funeral service will be held afterwards at Washington National Cathedral.
Following Graham’s death, Vance wrote on X: “We certainly had our disagreements. But I couldn't help but like him. A one of a kind figure in our politics.”
Watch: Graham meets with Zelensky in Kyiv in final political engagement
‘I don’t believe in nepotism:’ Republicans revolt against Trump’s endorsement of Darline Graham
President Trump’s endorsement of Lindsey Graham’s sister running for a full six-year term in her brother’s old seat has not been warmly received by South Carolina Republicans.
If anything, it appears that Trump’s backing has only spurred opposition to her appointment.
Eric Garcia has this analysis of the tensions the situation has created.
Republicans revolt over Trump’s push of Darline Graham for brother’s seat: ‘Nepotism’
Trump says Lindsey Graham has 'never seen a war that he didn’t like'
Ahead of Lindsey Graham’s funeral today, President Donald Trump said the late senator never saw a war “that he didn’t like.”
Trump called into Fox News this morning to reflect on Graham, who was one of the most hawkish members of Congress and often pressed Trump to take a tougher line on Iran and do more to bolster Ukraine against Russia.
“I jokingly say, and there’s nothing funny about it, but he’s never seen a war that he didn’t like,” Trump said of Graham. “He was very much into that, and you know for good reason he felt that way. Some other people feel that way. But he was very much, very strong on the military.”
Graham hailed as ‘irreplaceable’ by Senate colleague
Leading today’s tributes to Lindsey Graham is Alabama Sen. GOP Katie Britt, who called him “irreplaceable.”
“He was the linchpin in so many conversations and so many moments,” she told CNN.
“I mean, his relationship with the president, with Democrats, with Leader [John] Thune, with the conference as a whole, and then you add on that his relationship with world leaders.
“There’s just nobody like him, and he’s irreplaceable.”
Recap: World leaders gather to honor Lindsey Graham in Washington
If you’re just joining us, Washington is preparing to bid farewell to Sen. Lindsey Graham Tuesday with a day of high-profile tributes honoring the Republican powerbroker whose sudden death stunned the political world.
Graham, who died July 11 at his Washington home at 71 from what officials said was likely an aortic tear, will be remembered in ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol and Washington National Cathedral attended by presidents, world leaders and political allies from across the globe.
His casket will arrive at the Capitol, where Graham spent more than three decades building a reputation as one of the Senate's most influential dealmakers.
An Armed Forces Body Bearer Team will carry his remains into the Capitol Rotunda in recognition of his Air Force service, while Vice President JD Vance is expected to deliver remarks.
Here’s more on what to expect.
Lindsey Graham funeral updates: Trump to deliver tribute to late senator at cathedral
Graham’s death revives a rare and controversial custom: Keeping a Senate seat in the family
Lindsey Graham’s sudden death earlier this month revived an unusual American tradition: filling Senate vacancies with family members.
As we’ve just seen, South Carolina Gov Henry McMaster earlier this month appointed the deceased’s sister, Darline Graham, to serve out the remainder of his term.
Graham, who previously led the state’s Commission for the Blind, announced this week that she will seek a full six-year term in November with the backing of President Trump.
This type of ascension, while steeped in history, is extremely rare. Over the last century, only a handful of deceased or departing members have been replaced by kin, with most of the appointees being widows.
Brendan Rascius reports.
Lindsey Graham’s death revives rare custom: Keeping a Senate seat in the family
In pictures: Darline Graham Nordon sworn in to complete late brother’s term
A key figure in today’s proceedings will be the deceased’s younger sister, whom Graham helped raise after their parents died in quick succession in the mid-1970s, when Darline was just a teenager and he 20.
He became her legal guardian, attended the University of South Carolina so that he could be close to home and visit her every weekend and subsequently enrolled in the U.S. Air Force in order to be able to help pay for her education.
"He’s kind of like a brother, a father and a mother rolled into one,” she once said of him. “I've always looked up to Lindsey.”
Following his death earlier this month, Darline has been sworn in to complete her late brother’s term after being nominated to the position by President Trump.
She has since indicated she has ambitions to seek a full term in the role.
Zelensky and Netanyahu pay tribute to ‘true friend’ Graham ahead of funeral
Arriving in the U.S. this morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted this video in which he said: “We will honor the memory of Senator Lindsey Graham.
“Together with everyone attending the ceremony in Washington, we will remember his commitment to security and freedom across the transatlantic community and around the world.”
Just before his departure from Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute to Graham, calling him “a true friend of mine and of the State of Israel.”
Graham’s most consequential moments, from the Clinton impeachment to defending Brett Kavanaugh
Perhaps more than anyone, the lawmaker from South Carolina epitomized the Republican Party’s shift from opposing Donald Trump to accepting his reshaping agenda.
A former bipartisan dealmaker who enjoyed friendships with Democrats ranging from Biden to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, he subsequently morphed into a hardcore partisan warrior post-2016.
Here’s Eric Garcia with a look back at some of the key episodes in the late senator’s career, from his humble origins marked by tragedy to cheerleading Operation Epic Fury.
Lindsey Graham’s most consequential moments after Trump ally and war hawk dies at 71
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