Trump And Others To Honor Memory Of Sen. Lindsey Graham At Funeral

on Jul 28, 2026 • Updated Jul 28, 2026

The late Sen. Lindsey Graham was honored on July 28, with his casket put on display in the U.S. Capitol. President Trump and others are expected to speak on the senator's life and legacy at a memorial service. Here, his sister, interim Sen. Darline Graham, R-SC, can be seen receiving his casket at the Capitol. (Photo credit: Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

On Tuesday, July 28, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, was honored by state, national, and foreign leaders as his casket was placed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.

Graham, who was 71 when he suddenly died on July 11, has been remembered in the weeks that have followed by Republicans and Democrats alike as someone who served the American people and stood up for what makes the nation great.

Representing South Carolina in the United States Senate from 2003 to 2026, he previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. Graham also served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, Fox News noted, ultimately retiring in 2015 as a colonel while in the Air Force Reserve.

He even ran for president in the 2016 presidential race, but suspended his campaign by December of 2015 as future President Donald Trump became the frontrunner.

Now, Trump and others are expected to honor Graham and his legacy of civic duty.

VP Vance Honors Sen. Lindsey Graham, With Trump And Others To Deliver Remarks

As Graham’s casket was on display in the Capitol’s Rotunda, the likes of Vice President JD Vance and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-SD, paid tribute to the late senator.

Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham, R-SC, who is serving as interim senator for South Carolina in her brother’s seat, was there to receive his casket.

Watch Graham’s casket be brought into the Capitol Rotunda, here:

🚨 JUST NOW: The U.S. Armed Forces Body Bearer Team carries Sen. Lindsey Graham's casket into the Capitol Rotunda, where he will lie in state. Graham is being received by his sister, Darline, ahead of a memorial service. pic.twitter.com/u5jP7GG2cB
— Real America's Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) July 28, 2026

Vance, who previously served as senator for Ohio, spoke on Graham’s life and legacy, saying he was “impossible not to like” and that he “cared about people.”

Further, Vance honed in on Graham’s passionate argumentative skills, crediting Graham with securing the votes to confirm Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court Justice in 2018.

He concluded his remarks by describing Graham as “a true American original.”

Watch Vance’s remarks on Graham, filled with love and admiration, here:

Vice President JD Vance paid tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham in the Capitol ceremony, saying he cared about everyone, from the lowest-ranking staff member to the wait staff.

"He was fascinated in people because he loved people," Vance said. "And he was interested in… pic.twitter.com/hVBaT7xQX4
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 28, 2026

Starting at 2 p.m., a memorial service for Graham will be held at the Washington National Cathedral.

There, Trump is expected to deliver remarks on Graham’s devotion to the nation.

In addition to Trump, several leaders of other nations will be present at Graham’s funeral service, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Other speakers will include Fox News host Sean Hannity; and Graham’s niece, Emillie Boggs Roberts.

Readings from Scripture will be read by Tony Perkins, the president of the conservative Family Research Council; Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America; and the Rev. Franklin Graham.

The memorial service at the Capitol may be viewed, here: