The late Sen. Lindsey Graham was remembered in the nation’s capital Tuesday with a laying in state at the U.S. Capitol, followed by a funeral at the National Cathedral.
Graham, the senior senator from South Carolina, passed away suddenly in Washington, D.C., July 11 at the age of 71. He was remembered for his service to the nation as well as a friend to many nations around the world.
His funeral brought together President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, cabinet members, congressional leaders, a Supreme Court justice, foreign heads of state and media figures, among others.
Trump led mourners honoring the life of Graham, whom the president has described as a “friend” and a “force of nature.”
“Today we gather in the deepest gratitude and profoundest sorrow, to honor a beloved friend, a devoted brother, a respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate, and a true American original who left us much too soon, and that can only be the one and only Lindsey Graham,” the president said during his remarks.
Trump remembered Graham as a great statesman, remarking on his years of service in Congress.
“By the strength of his steadfast convictions, the force of his magnetic personality, and the goodness of his noble soul, Lindsey rose from a small town in rural South Carolina, a place he loved so much, to become a constant fixture of American politics at the highest level, and a force to be reckoned with all over the world,” the president added. “For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened in this capital without Lindsey Graham knowing about it.”
The president remembered the late senator for his work and sense of humor, recalling a bumpy start to their close friendship: During his first presidential campaign, Trump shared Graham’s personal telephone number during a speech.
“It was Lindsey who had the last laugh because while I blew up his phone all for one day, we became great friends, and Lindsey did not stop calling me for the next 10 years,” Trump quipped.
The president concluded his remarks by remembering Graham as “strong and steadfast,” highlighting him as a “brother, a senator, a warrior and a patriot.”
“I end by saying something very, very special, Lindsey. We love you. God bless you. We will owe. We will always be with you, and you are very, very special. Thank you. Thank you very much,” Trump concluded.
Fox News host Sean Hannity also remembered the late senator, noting Graham’s commitment to Israel and Ukraine as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were in attendance.
A second funeral will be held in South Carolina’s capital, Columbia Wednesday.
Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, was appointed to his Senate seat by South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster.