The funeral service at Washington National Cathedral bid farewell to U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskiy and many members of Congress attended the ceremony.
In his speech, President Trump remembered Graham as a 'great friend' and 'one of the greatest people and senators I've ever known.' In an interview with Fox News, he said their relationship initially was 'a little rough' but grew into a 'wonderful friendship,' and that Graham had 'become almost a member of the family.'
Vance recalls Graham's role in the Kavanaugh process
Vice President JD Vance earlier described Graham at the Capitol ceremony as 'a man who could disagree with you without being disagreeable.' Vance stated that Graham saved Brett Kavanaugh's controversial Supreme Court nomination, saying, 'What he witnessed there was not a policy disagreement, it was a character assassination. Lindsey was so fiery and passionate that I believe he saved that nomination.'
Netanyahu and Zelenskiy come together at the funeral
Before the service, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy were seen having a brief conversation. The two leaders had each met separately with President Trump earlier in the day. Zelenskiy said his meeting with Trump went 'well,' while the White House has not yet issued an official statement. Netanyahu later also chatted with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Memorial service also held at the Capitol
Graham's flag-draped casket was brought to the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on the morning of the service. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Graham was a 'giant figure' in the Senate, adding 'I feel his absence every day.' Many Republican and Democratic senators attended that ceremony as well.
Air Force base to be named after him
Defense officials confirmed they have started the process to name Joint Base Charleston of the Air Force after Graham. Before being elected to Congress, Graham served more than six years on active duty as an Air Force lawyer and retired as a colonel in 2015.
Graham passed away on July 11
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died on July 11, 2026, of aortic dissection resulting from heart disease. Known for his hawkish stance on foreign policy and close friendship with President Trump, the late senator will have another funeral service on Wednesday in South Carolina, and his remains will be laid to rest in the family cemetery.
