WASHINGTON – South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham's lasting influence on American foreign policy will extend to his Tuesday funeral, as lawmakers from both political parties and three world leaders gather to pay their respects to the hawkish Republican with a penchant for U.S. military intervention in conflicts around the globe.
President Donald Trump will deliver a eulogy at the Washington funeral for the GOP senator, who died abruptly on July 11 from a tear in his main artery. He was 71.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are also attending the invite-only service at the Washington National Cathedral. They'll use their respective visits to hold tete-a-tetes with Trump. Graham was a staunch supporter
of both nations and had just returned from Ukraine at the time of his death.
The services in Washington will begin with a ceremony in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Both the Capitol and National Cathedral services will be streamed online and closed to the public. Graham's remains will be taken to South Carolina afterward for funeral services in Columbia.
His sister Darline Graham is currently filling his seat and is campaigning, with Trump's endorsement, to represent South Carolina for a full Senate term.
Darline Graham seeks Senate seat permanently but faces Norman, Sanford in primary
07:53 AM ET, July 28 2026, Bart Jansen
Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham, was appointed to serve in his Senate seat for the rest of the year, but the temporary assignment will be short-lived because voters will choose a permanent successor in the Nov. 3 election.
The race in the heavily Republican state is likely be settled in a GOP primary runoff Aug. 11. Trump has endorsed Darline Graham, but a handful of rivals are trying to knock her off, including former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford.
Sanford, who sandwiched eight years as governor between two six-year stretches in the House, has a mixed legacy because of a 2009 extramarital affair.
Four other Republicans vying for the nomination in the special primary are Reps. Russell Fry and Ralph Norman, businessman Mark Lynch and lawyer Duke Buckner.
Norman was ahead in an Emerson College poll of 500 likely voters July 14 and 15, but undecided voters outnumbered the results for any candidate.
Netanyahu to discuss Iran with Trump, honor Graham
07:51 AM ET, July 28 2026, Bart Jansen
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would meet with Trump for the eighth time – the most of any foreign leader during the president’s second term – and also attend Graham’s memorial service.
“We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost, Iran,” Netanyahu said before boarding his flight on Monday. “Naturally, our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us. I am embarking on this mission with one clear goal – to ensure the security, strength, and future of our dear State of Israel.”
Netanyahu called Graham “one of the greatest friends the State of Israel has ever known.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lindsey Graham funeral live: Trump to do eulogy as world leaders attend
