Lindsey Graham Honored as “American Original” at Washington Memorial Services/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Sen. Lindsey Graham was honored Tuesday as a “true American original” during memorial services attended by US officials and foreign leaders in Washington. His flag-draped casket was carried into the Capitol Rotunda before a funeral at Washington National Cathedral featuring remarks from President Donald Trump. Senators also prepared to advance Graham’s final legislative priority: a bipartisan package of sanctions targeting Russia and buyers of its energy exports.
Quick Look
- Graham lay in state in the US Capitol Rotunda.
- Trump was scheduled to speak at Washington National Cathedral.
- Benjamin Netanyahu and Volodymyr Zelenskyy planned to attend.
- Graham died July 11 at age 71.
- Preliminary findings indicated a likely tear in his aorta.
- Services will continue Wednesday with burial in South Carolina.
- Joint Base Charleston will be renamed in Graham’s honor.
- Graham served more than 30 years in Congress.
- He served in the House before winning election to the Senate in 2002.
- Graham spent decades in the Air Force, Reserve and National Guard.
- Senators planned a procedural vote on his Russia sanctions package.
- His sister, Darline Graham, was appointed to fill the remainder of his Senate term.
Full Rewritten Story
Graham Honored at US Capitol
WASHINGTON — Sen. Lindsey Graham was remembered Tuesday as a commanding political figure, determined legislator and energetic public servant during the first of two days of memorial services in Washington and South Carolina.
Graham’s flag-draped casket arrived at the US Capitol, where he served for more than three decades and became known for his humor, persistence and willingness to pressure colleagues into legislative action.
An armed forces team carried the casket into the Capitol Rotunda in recognition of Graham’s long military career.
The Rotunda ceremony preceded a funeral at Washington National Cathedral that was expected to draw lawmakers, conservative leaders and foreign dignitaries.
Thune Remembers Graham’s Humor
Senate Majority Leader John Thune described Graham as an influential lawmaker whose personality could transform even the most serious congressional gathering.
“Lindsey was a towering figure,” Thune said, adding that there was “no one more capable of cracking up a room.”
Thune became emotional as he addressed his late colleague.
“I look forward to the days when you make us all laugh again,” the South Dakota Republican said.
Graham was widely known for talking, joking and debating with colleagues while persistently pushing them toward action.
Vance Calls Graham “A True American Original”
Vice President JD Vance joined Cabinet officials, former senators and other dignitaries at the Capitol service.
Vance described Graham as a “swashbuckling” political figure “who swashbuckled into the Senate” with his suit jacket open.
“A true American original,” Vance said.
Among those attending were Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who previously served in the Senate, and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Blanche faces a difficult Senate confirmation process for the permanent position.
Trump and Foreign Leaders Attend Funeral
Trump was expected to deliver remarks during the funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
Fox News host Sean Hannity and several prominent conservative leaders were also scheduled to participate.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy planned to attend, reflecting Graham’s international influence and his support for an assertive American role abroad.
Graham was one of Washington’s strongest advocates for using US diplomatic and military power to confront international threats.
Two Days of Memorial Services
Tuesday’s Washington ceremonies marked the beginning of two days of services.
Graham will be buried Wednesday in his home state of South Carolina.
The White House said Joint Base Charleston would be renamed in his honor.
Graham died unexpectedly at his Washington home on July 11, shortly after returning from a NATO summit in Turkey and a visit to Ukraine.
Preliminary medical findings indicated that he likely died from a tear in his aorta. He was 71.
Graham had celebrated his birthday during the international trip.
From Pool Hall Family to Congress
Graham was raised by parents who owned a pool hall, restaurant and liquor store in South Carolina.
His early life included significant family hardship.
His mother died from Hodgkin lymphoma while he was attending college. His father died months later as Graham began law school.
Graham became the guardian of his younger sister, Darline, who was 13 at the time.
He frequently spoke later in life about how Social Security benefits helped the siblings remain financially stable after losing their parents.
Elected During 1994 Republican Wave
Graham won his first congressional race during the Republican electoral wave of 1994 that gave the GOP control of the House.
He was among the first Republicans from South Carolina elected to Congress since Reconstruction.
Graham quickly gained national recognition while serving as one of the House managers in the impeachment trial of Democratic President Bill Clinton.
He won election to the Senate in 2002.
The Senate’s “Three Amigos”
In the Senate, Graham developed close relationships with Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.
The three became known as the “three amigos.”
They traveled internationally and focused heavily on national security and America’s role in conflicts around the world.
Graham remained involved in numerous bipartisan groups, negotiating on immigration, judicial nominations, national defense and other major issues.
His ability to adapt to changing political circumstances helped keep him near the center of congressional activity for decades.
Complicated Relationship With Trump
Graham’s relationship with Trump demonstrated his political flexibility.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Graham denounced Trump as a “kook” and said he was “unfit for office.”
After Trump won the presidency, Graham gradually became one of his closest Senate allies.
Their relationship fractured again after Trump supporters attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, seeking to prevent certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
“Count me out. Enough is enough,” Graham declared during a Senate floor speech that night.
Weeks later, Trump invited him to Mar-a-Lago, restoring their political alliance.
Graham Became the “Trump Whisperer”
Graham said he wanted Trump to succeed and remained a prominent ally after Trump returned to office in 2025.
Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California described Graham as the “Trump whisperer.”
Other senators and foreign leaders often approached Graham for insight into Trump’s thinking and advice on how to communicate with the president.
Graham’s access to Trump gave him influence over foreign policy and Republican politics, even when the two disagreed.
Final Mission Focused on Russia
Graham’s final major legislative effort was a bipartisan sanctions package targeting Russia over its war against Ukraine.
Days before his death, he secured Trump’s support for the proposal.
The legislation is intended to reduce Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ability to finance and prolong the war.
It would impose sanctions on senior Russian political and military leaders, financial institutions and energy projects.
The package also targets countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, natural gas and other exports.
Senate Moves to Advance Sanctions
Senators said passing Graham’s Russia sanctions bill would be an appropriate tribute to his career and foreign-policy priorities.
The Senate was scheduled to hold an initial procedural vote Tuesday.
Zelenskyy was expected to meet senators in the evening following Graham’s funeral.
The Ukrainian president’s attendance highlighted Graham’s strong support for Kyiv and his belief that the United States should resist Russian expansion.
Conservative Leaders Join Cathedral Service
Several prominent social-conservative and anti-abortion figures were expected to participate in the cathedral service.
They included Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Marjorie Jones Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony ‘Pro-Life America and the Rev. William Franklin Graham III.
Graham was a consistent supporter of conservative judicial nominees and anti-abortion policies during his Senate career.
His alliances extended across Republican factions, from national-security hawks to religious conservatives and Trump loyalists.
Darline Graham Could Succeed Her Brother
Graham never married but remained closely involved in the life of his younger sister, whom he helped raise.
South Carolina’s governor appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her brother’s Senate term.
She is also running in what could become a crowded special-election primary.
The filing period for the primary was scheduled to close Tuesday, with voting set for Aug. 11.
Her candidacy could extend the Graham family’s presence in South Carolina politics.
Decades of Military Service
Before and during his congressional career, Graham served in the US Air Force as a judge advocate general.
He remained in the Air Force Reserve or National Guard for decades.
While serving in the Senate, Graham temporarily returned to active status to advise the Air Force during the Iraq War.
He received the Bronze Star for his service in 2014.
Graham formally retired from the military as a colonel in 2015.
His military background influenced his aggressive approach to national security and his belief in American intervention abroad.
Washington Says Its Final Goodbye
Graham’s Capitol memorial placed him among presidents, military leaders and other prominent Americans who have been honored in the Rotunda.
His funeral brought together political allies, former rivals, conservative activists and foreign leaders whose countries were influenced by his work.
The ceremonies reflected the range of Graham’s career: military officer, impeachment manager, bipartisan negotiator, Trump ally and international advocate.
After more than three decades in Washington, Graham was remembered by colleagues as both an effective political operator and an unmistakable personality who left a large space behind in the Senate.
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