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Former Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) received an emotional send-off Wednesday at two memorial services, where political allies and foes, some of whom had shifted back-and-forth during the South Carolinian’s long career, bid him tribute.
“He was a force of nature, and I will miss him greatly,” President Trump said at the latter service at Washington National Cathedral, where the political crowd was dominated by Trump administration officials and global leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump nodded to his friendship with his fellow Republican, which grew from a rivalry when the two were running for the GOP presidential nomination in 2015.
“As you remember, Lindsey and I did not exactly get off to the best of starts, running against each other,” Trump said, recounting how he had publicly given out Graham’s cellphone number at a campaign even in response to a political attack.
“His phone totally, I don’t know what he did with it, but it exploded,” the president joked.
Graham went on to become one of Trump’s strongest allies in the Senate, a major turn given the South Carolina Republican’s previous alliance with former Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who died in 2018 as a firm GOP opponent of Trump.
“That was the beginning of a friendship, in a way,” Trump said of the cellphone episode. “But it was Lindsey who had the last laugh, because while I blew up his phone for one day, we became great friends, and Lindsey did not stop calling me for the next 10 years. It was not easy.”
Earlier in the day, Graham was honored in a memorial service at the Capitol Rotunda, which was attended by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Senate leaders, including Vice President Vance — who is also president of the Senate — and the leaders of both parties, Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) attended the service alongside many other senators from both parties, members of Graham’s family, Trump administration officials, current and former staff, the South Carolina U.S. House delegation and others, including former lawmakers.
In the days since Graham’s July 11 death, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have noted the senator’s Southern charm and ability to work deals with senators from both parties.
While Democrats had deep differences with Graham at times on policy – to say nothing of his deep allegiance with Trump – testimonies in public in recent weeks suggested it did not get in the way of the personal warmth and respect many felt for him.
As the service at the Capitol concluded, Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) embraced former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) in the line to bid farewell to Graham.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and others saluted Graham’s casket. Many lawmakers, family members and other guests placed a hand on the casket briefly before leaving.
Vice President JD Vance while speaking at the service homed in on Graham’s defense of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 confirmation process, an episode where some likely still do feel some partisan bitterness.
Graham had defended Kavanaugh over allegations dating to 1982 from Christine Blasey Ford, who accused him of sexually assaulting her at a high school party. Kavanaugh denied the charges and was later confirmed, in part, Vance said, because of Graham’s powerful public argument.
“What he saw happening to Kavanaugh was not a policy disagreement, it was character assassination,” the vice president told the bipartisan crowd. “Lindsey got as fiery and as passionate as I have ever seen a human being get during a judicial confirmation, and I believe that he saved that nomination.”
Trump recalled Graham’s reputation in Washington as “a tough cookie,” but one who could get over a political battle.
“No matter how heated things got in Washington, virtually everyone, Republican or Democrat, liked Lindsey,” the president said before going off script.
“Well not everybody, but it sounds good,” he added.
Others at the Washington National Cathedral service included Kavanaugh, Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb and Fox News host Sean Hannity, who eulogized Graham.
“Lindsey, he was often unfairly characterized as a warmonger. I’ve heard that false criticism a lot. It’s not true,” Hannity said, recalling Graham’s desire for “lasting peace in the Middle East.”
Evangelist Franklin Graham and anti-abortion activist Marjorie Dannenfelser delivered readings, while Graham’s niece, Emilie Boggs Roberts, in a deeply personal anecdote revealed that she told her mother and Graham’s sister about her second pregnancy the evening Graham died.
“I have no doubt he knows and is thrilled,” she said.
Among the Trump administration officials present at the Capitol were Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin — who previously served in the Senate — Small Business Administration chief Kelly Loeffler, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was also among the guests.
Speakers at both services mentioned Graham’s sense of humor and ability to make others laugh, and his staunch support for Israel and Ukraine.
Many at the Capitol service were visibly moved to tears. An Army Band brass quintet played, and an Air Force choir sang Christian hymns and patriotic songs throughout, and the music soared through the vastness of the Capitol Rotunda.
Graham, 71, died of an aortic dissection, according to Washington, D.C.’s medical examiner. He had served in the Senate since 2003, and in the House from 1995 to 2003.
Trump appointed Graham’s sister Darline to serve in his seat for the remainder of his term and endorsed her to run for Graham’s seat in November.
Darline Graham announced she would run for her late brother’s seat last week, joining a crowded Republican primary.
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