President Donald Trump stated that the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's defense of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the 2018 confirmation hearing was the South Carolina Republican's "finest moment" and one of the greatest in Senate history.
Trump recalled Graham's assertive questioning and defense of Kavanaugh, who faced allegations of sexual assault. Kavanaugh denied the allegations, and Graham accused Democrats of attempting to destroy the nominee's reputation and keep the Supreme Court seat open. Graham's remarks during the hearing included labeling the confirmation fight "the most unethical sham" he had witnessed.
"He was an incredible display, and he did it from the heart. He felt strongly about Brett, and he did it from the heart, and it turned that whole thing around. He was really amazing," Trump told CNN's Jake Tapper in a phone interview. Trump ranked the exchange as a "top 10, maybe a top five moment in the history of the Senate."
The Senate confirmed Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in a 50-48 vote on October 6, 2018. Kavanaugh currently serves as an associate justice.
Trump also characterized Graham as an effective negotiator who could work with Democrats on issues that other Republicans struggled with. "There was no better advocate. He was a fantastic advocate in the Senate, and he could do things that other people, he was, he was able to," Trump said.
Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday evening after a "brief and sudden illness," according to a statement from his office released early Sunday. He was 71. Details regarding the specific illness were not immediately disclosed. Trump mentioned that Graham had called him Saturday night after returning from a trip to Ukraine, describing the senator as being "full of vim and vigor" despite being tired from his travels.