Former President Donald Trump paid tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham at a memorial service, calling him a dedicated public servant. Trump stated that Graham "died doing the work he was born to do," a sentiment echoed by others who spoke at the service.
Sean Hannity, a Fox News host, reflected on Graham's ability to maintain friendships despite political disagreements. "Lindsey and I did not always agree. Not on everything. But we could disagree and we could remain friends, and we remained friends for decades," Hannity said.
Graham's pastor, the Rev. Tim Tate, described the senator's temperament, noting that while people might not have always liked him, he was willing to work with others for the country's common good. "Sen. Graham was very Washington, if you know what I mean," Tate remarked. "But he was also very small-town."
Prominent figures from the conservative movement, including Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Marjorie Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, and the Rev. Franklin Graham, also spoke at the service, highlighting the respect Graham commanded within the Republican party.
Graham began his congressional career during the 1994 Republican Revolution, eventually becoming known as a staunch conservative advocate for American military strength. He transitioned to the Senate after the 2002 elections, a period marked by heightened national security concerns following the 9/11 attacks.
"For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened in this capital without Lindsey Graham knowing about it," Trump stated during his remarks, underscoring Graham's significant influence in Washington D.C. for decades.