U.S. Elites Pay Tribute to Conservative Powerbroker Lindsey Graham at Lavish Washington Ceremonies
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President Trump, establishment politicians, and foreign leaders gathered at the National Cathedral and Capitol to honor Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch defender of militarism and conservative Senate leadership.
President Donald Trump, emblematic of the billionaire class, praised the late South Carolina senator at a grand service in Washington’s National Cathedral, hailing him as a “legend” and a “giant of the U.S. Senate.” Trump reminisced about sharing Graham’s personal phone number during the 2016 primary—a campaign marked by divisiveness and attacks on working people—and noted their later alliance. Trump also lauded Graham’s unwavering support for regressive tax and spending legislation that favored the wealthy, as well as his advocacy for a sanctions package targeting Russia in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, which the Senate intends to vote on after the ceremonies.
The event was attended by dozens of lawmakers, cabinet members, and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whose own confirmation was marred by controversy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were present, underscoring Graham’s deep ties to foreign military interests and the U.S. war machine. Emillie Boggs Roberts, Graham’s niece, spoke about his dedication to family, highlighting his care for his sister after their parents’ deaths—a rare personal note in a career otherwise defined by hawkish policies.
Earlier, Graham’s flag-draped coffin was displayed in the Capitol Rotunda, a symbol of the establishment’s reverence for its own. Senate Majority Leader John Thune called Graham a “powerful voice” in the chamber, citing his relentless push for conservative judicial confirmations, military aid to Ukraine, and anti-abortion legislation that undermined reproductive rights. Vice President J.D. Vance remarked that it was “impossible not to like” Graham, recalling a heated debate over funneling more money to Ukraine that ended in compromise. New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte praised Graham’s ability to forge relationships across party lines, a skill often used to advance right-wing agendas, and his long tenure as an Air Force judge advocate.
Graham’s remains will be returned to South Carolina for a funeral at the First Baptist Church in Columbia, where his sister Darline Graham—appointed to finish his Senate term—will attend, ensuring the continuation of establishment influence.