Washington says goodbye to Sen. Lindsey Graham - NBC News

What the report says

NBC News reported that Washington held farewell ceremonies Tuesday for Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican who died suddenly this month at 71. A private Capitol Rotunda ceremony and an invitation-only funeral at Washington National Cathedral were livestreamed, drawing President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, lawmakers, Cabinet officials, foreign leaders and members of Graham’s family.

At the cathedral, Trump praised Graham as a longtime Senate force and close ally, despite their rivalry during the 2016 Republican presidential race. Earlier at the Capitol, an armed forces body bearer team carried Graham’s flag-draped casket in recognition of his military service. Graham served as an Air Force judge advocate general and retired from the Air Force Reserve as a colonel in 2015.

NBC reported that attendees included current and former senators, South Carolina figures, Trump administration officials, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, former Vice President Mike Pence, and relatives of the late Sen. John McCain, one of Graham’s closest Senate allies. Foreign leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Finnish President Alexander Stubb also attended, reflecting Graham’s prominent role in foreign policy and defense debates.

Graham had served in Congress for more than three decades, chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, and was leading the Budget Committee when he died, according to NBC. His sister, Darline Graham, who was appointed to his Senate seat and is seeking a full term, paid respects at the casket. Additional remembrances were scheduled for Wednesday at the South Carolina State House in Columbia, including military honors tied to Graham’s Air Force career.