Funeral services for the late U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham began Tuesday in Washington, D.C., drawing a number of prominent political and media figures. The services are scheduled to take place at the Washington National Cathedral.
President Donald Trump is expected to deliver a speech during the service. The President and Graham, who was a vocal critic and opponent of Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, evolved into close allies in Congress. Also in attendance are international leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a friend of Graham, spoke about the senator, describing him as "entertaining always and pretentious never." Thune also noted Graham's steadfastness, stating, "It didn’t matter to Lindsey whether an issue was popular or unpopular, whether he had the full support of his colleagues or was standing alone. He told things the way he saw them and he didn’t mince words."
Senator J.D. Vance recalled Graham as "a man who loved people, and because he loved people, he was willing to reason with them, to respect them, and ultimately to persuade them."
The service at the Washington National Cathedral is by invitation only. However, similar to a previous ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, it will be livestreamed for the public.