Graham Capitol Honors Begin
Senator Lindsey Graham Honored at U.S. Capitol Rotunda; Trump, World Leaders Set to Attend Funeral
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Key Points
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Graham died on July 11 at age 71 from an aortic dissection.
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An Armed Forces Body Bearer Team will carry Graham's remains into the U.S. Capitol as part of the Rotunda honors.
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Vice President JD Vance is expected to speak during the Capitol Rotunda memorial.
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Foreign leaders set to attend the Washington service include Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with President Trump expected to speak at the cathedral.
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Graham’s legacy is closely tied to his advocacy for Israel and Ukraine and his push for aggressive Russia sanctions, which lawmakers are reviving and renaming in his honor.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died July 11 at age 71 from an aortic dissection, was honored Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in a formal ceremony before his funeral service in Washington, D.C. PBS reported that an Armed Forces Body Bearer Team carried his remains into the Rotunda, where Vice President JD Vance was expected to speak.
A funeral service followed at 2 p.m. EDT at Washington National Cathedral, with President Donald Trump set to deliver remarks. World leaders including Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy were among those expected to attend, according to Fox News.
Capitol Rotunda Ceremony Marks a Rare Honor
Graham's Rotunda honors are a rare tribute reserved for the nation's most distinguished leaders. The ceremony began at 10 a.m. EDT Tuesday. An Armed Forces Body Bearer Team carried his casket inside, according to Live 5 News. Colleagues and fellow lawmakers gathered to pay their respects before the procession moved to the cathedral.
Vice President Vance was slated to speak during the Capitol service. Joe My God noted the ceremony drew wide attention across Washington, with Graham described by his peers as a dealmaker who shaped U.S. foreign policy over more than three decades in the Senate.
World Leaders Fly In for Graham's Funeral
The Washington National Cathedral service drew an extraordinary lineup of foreign dignitaries. Netanyahu and Zelenskyy both made the trip to honor Graham, a sign of how deeply his work touched both Israel and Ukraine during their ongoing wars. Fox News reported that President Trump was expected to speak at the 2 p.m. service.
Graham was a vocal champion of military aid to Ukraine and a fierce ally of Israel. His presence on the world stage, even as a senator, earned him relationships with heads of state that few lawmakers ever build. PBS described him as the son of pool hall owners who rose to become one of the most influential foreign policy voices in Congress.
Graham's Legacy: Sanctions, Israel, and Ukraine
Graham spent over 30 years in the Senate and built a reputation as a hawk on Russia. He pushed hard for aggressive sanctions against Moscow, especially after its invasion of Ukraine. Lawmakers are now reviving those sanctions efforts and renaming the legislation in his honor, according to Live 5 News.
His backing of Israel and Ukraine defined his final years in office. Colleagues called him a tireless dealmaker who could work across the aisle when the stakes were high enough. His death at 71 came suddenly, stunning allies and foreign leaders who had counted on his influence in Washington.
Graham's Remains Head Home to South Carolina
After the Washington ceremonies, Graham's remains will travel back to South Carolina. A public procession is planned for Wednesday, followed by a private burial. Live 5 News reported that the final farewell in his home state will give South Carolinians a chance to honor the senator who represented them for more than three decades.
Graham's sudden death has also prompted personal reflection in Washington. Radar Online reported that President Trump, who is nearly a decade older than Graham, has been privately discussing his own mortality with those close to him since learning of his friend's passing.
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