Trump and World Leaders Honor Lindsey Graham at Washington Funeral

A Senate Career Spanning Decades

Graham was first elected to the US Senate in 2002 and won re-election in 2008, 2014 and 2020. Before joining the Senate, he served in the US House of Representatives, having been elected in 1994 to represent South Carolina's third congressional district.

At the time of his death, Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee and held seats on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

On foreign policy, Graham was a steadfast supporter of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq and consistently advocated for military action against Iran. He was a longtime backer of Israel and backed Trump's ongoing war on Iran. In a planned documentary, Graham revealed he "almost cried" after the US and Israel commenced strikes on Iran in February. Following Russia's 2022 invasion, he also emerged as a vocal supporter of Ukraine.

International Attendance Reflects Global Stature

The presence of Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Zelenskyy at the funeral highlighted the breadth of Graham's international relationships. Both leaders represented nations whose causes Graham had championed throughout his Senate tenure.

Trump's eulogy emphasized Graham's centrality to American governance, framing him as an irreplaceable figure whose legislative fingerprints were on every significant law passed during his service. The remarks painted a portrait of a senator whose influence extended well beyond his home state of South Carolina.

What Comes Next

Graham's unexpected death leaves vacant both his Senate seat representing South Carolina and his chairmanship of the Senate Budget Committee. Under South Carolina law, the governor will appoint a replacement to serve until a special election can be held. The timing and process for filling Graham's committee leadership role have not yet been announced.