Lindsey Graham remembered as ‘true American original’ at Capitol memorial
World leaders and politicians gathered in Washington to honor the late US Senator Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly at 71. He was recalled as a polarizing figure who blended 'America First' with a staunch interventionist foreign policy.
World leaders and senior political figures convened in Washington for the memorial of long-serving US Senator Lindsey Graham, remembering the South Carolina Republican as a 'true American original'. Graham, a polarizing figure who evolved from rival to staunch ally of Donald Trump, was known as a foreign policy hawk and a fierce supporter of Ukraine after Russia's invasion.
Speaking at a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda, Senate Majority Leader John Thune hailed Graham as a 'fierce defender of Ukraine' and a 'powerful voice for the [anti-abortion] movement'. 'I feel his absence every day, and I know my colleagues do as well,' Thune said emotionally. 'I look forward to the days when you make us laugh again.'
Among the audience was Graham's sister, Darline, who was sworn in earlier this month to serve the remainder of his fourth term, which ends in January. She is running in the Republican primary to permanently succeed him.
Vice President JD Vance credited Graham with helping secure Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court in 2018. 'I believe that he saved that nomination,' Vance said. He described Graham as someone 'who could disagree with you without being disagreeable' and 'fight for you on another issue'.
Graham died suddenly earlier this month at age 71, shortly after returning from a trip to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to attend an afternoon service at Washington National Cathedral.
On Wednesday, ceremonies in South Carolina will include an F-16 flyover at the state house in Columbia, a procession to First Baptist Church, and a private burial in Pickens County.
