Donald Trump to deliver tribute during Lindsey Graham’s funeral service – US politics live

Donald Trump to deliver tribute during Lindsey Graham's funeral serviceThe late South Carolina Republican senator Lindsey Graham will be eulogised during memorial services across Washington later today.Graham, who died suddenly on 11 July, will be recognised with a ceremony in the Rotunda of the Capital and honored by his fellow senators.Following the ceremony, Graham’s remains will be transported to the Washington National Cathedral for a funeral service starting at 2:00pm, which will include a tribute from the US president, Donald Trump, according to his office.Graham’s remains will be taken to his home state of South Carolina for a second service on Wednesday. Members of the public can view both ceremonies via livestream.Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump speak with reporters on Air Force One in January 2026. Photograph: Alex Brandon/APThe Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will attend Tuesday’s funeral and are scheduled to meet Trump at a time when US policy towards the wars in Iran and Ukraine is in a state of flux.Zelenskyy is expected to push for fresh supplies of anti-ballistic missiles during his visit, as well as to discuss ways of restarting frozen talks on ending the war, a senior Ukrainian official told the AFP news agency.Graham met Zelenskyy in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the day before his death, and had been in the process of advancing a Senate bill to strengthen sanctions on Russia. He was a staunch supporter of Ukraine, reportedly visiting the country at least 10 times since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.Graham, who was a cheerleader for George W Bush’s war in Iraq, also staunchly backed Israel in the US congress even when it was carrying out what is widely considered to be a genocide against the Palestinian population of Gaza. He also applauded Trump’s decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites last year and to launch an unprovoked war against Iran in late February alongside Israel.Key events33m agoDonald Trump to deliver tribute during Lindsey Graham's funeral serviceMartin PengellyOn Wednesday, in Lindsey Graham’s home state, ceremonies will begin with services and an F-16 flyover at the South Carolina state house in Columbia, followed by a procession to First Baptist Church for a public service.A private family burial will take place in Pickens county, home to Central, the small town where Graham and his younger sister and Senate successor, Darline, were born.Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline, was sworn in earlier this month to complete the remaining months of her late brother’s term, which expires in January.She made history as the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate when she was appointed, which she described as an “honor”. “Lindsey has always been there for me,” she said. “And now, I will be there for him.”Darline Graham participates in a ceremonial swearing in inside the Old Senate Chamber in Washington DC in July 2026. Photograph: Emily Alff/CNP/Emily Alff - CNP/ShutterstockBecause Lindsey Graham won the Republican nomination last month, the state will hold a special primary to replace him on the ballot on 11 August. Darline, 62, will compete in this primary to decide the Republican nominee in November.Donald Trump said he had encouraged her to run for a full six-year term representing South Carolina. After both of their parents died when Darline was only 13, Lindsey became her legal guardian and later adopted her, to ensure she could receive his benefits through his service as an air force lawyer.Donald Trump to deliver tribute during Lindsey Graham's funeral serviceThe late South Carolina Republican senator Lindsey Graham will be eulogised during memorial services across Washington later today.Graham, who died suddenly on 11 July, will be recognised with a ceremony in the Rotunda of the Capital and honored by his fellow senators.Following the ceremony, Graham’s remains will be transported to the Washington National Cathedral for a funeral service starting at 2:00pm, which will include a tribute from the US president, Donald Trump, according to his office.Graham’s remains will be taken to his home state of South Carolina for a second service on Wednesday. Members of the public can view both ceremonies via livestream.Lindsey Graham and Donald Trump speak with reporters on Air Force One in January 2026. Photograph: Alex Brandon/APThe Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will attend Tuesday’s funeral and are scheduled to meet Trump at a time when US policy towards the wars in Iran and Ukraine is in a state of flux.Zelenskyy is expected to push for fresh supplies of anti-ballistic missiles during his visit, as well as to discuss ways of restarting frozen talks on ending the war, a senior Ukrainian official told the AFP news agency.Graham met Zelenskyy in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the day before his death, and had been in the process of advancing a Senate bill to strengthen sanctions on Russia. He was a staunch supporter of Ukraine, reportedly visiting the country at least 10 times since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.Graham, who was a cheerleader for George W Bush’s war in Iraq, also staunchly backed Israel in the US congress even when it was carrying out what is widely considered to be a genocide against the Palestinian population of Gaza. He also applauded Trump’s decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites last year and to launch an unprovoked war against Iran in late February alongside Israel.