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Graham funeral in Washington
Washington gathered Tuesday for the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham at Washington National Cathedral, where President Donald Trump delivered remarks praising the late South Carolina Republican.
“Washington, 28 jul (EFE)”
Trump described Graham as “a beloved friend, a devoted brother, a respected statesman, a giant of the United States Senate, and a true American original,” and he said Graham “died doing the work he was born to do.”
The service drew world leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, alongside Trump Cabinet officials and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
The day’s memorial events followed Graham’s death on July 11 at age 71, with PBS noting burial Wednesday in Graham’s home state of South Carolina.
In the lead-up to the funeral, NBC News also reported that Trump met with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy at the White House earlier that day.
Trump’s remarks and reactions
Trump’s eulogy included a story about Graham’s personal cell phone number, with NPR saying Trump admitted “something I shouldn't have done” before once again reciting the digits during the ceremony.
NPR also quoted Trump saying, “Lindsey did not stop calling me for the next 10 years,” as laughter followed in the sanctuary.
In a separate account of the funeral’s moments, Rolling Stone said Trump was seen “openly drifting off in his seat,” with eyes and head drooping as the eulogy played.
The Independent reported that the White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said, “El presidente Trump estaba reflexionando sobre la pérdida de su querido amigo Lindsey Graham,” responding to reactions on social media.
NBC News’ live updates also framed the day as D.C. bidding farewell to Graham while Trump held meetings with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy.
Aftermath and political stakes
As memorial services continued, PBS reported that the start of two days of services would be followed by burial Wednesday in Graham’s home state of South Carolina, and it said Joint Base Charleston will be renamed in his honor.
“- Published President Donald Trump has remembered Lindsey Graham as a "giant of the United States Senate" at the late lawmaker's funeral in Washington”
NBC News said the Senate is expected to confirm Jay Clayton’s nomination to be Trump’s director of national intelligence tonight, with the Senate confirming Clayton on a 51-47 vote.
NBC News also reported that Clayton would replace Bill Pulte, and it said Clayton would oversee 18 spy services and influence secret intelligence budgets.
In the background of Graham’s death, La Razón described Zelenski’s return to the White House and said the meeting was held “bajo la sombra de Lindsey Graham,” linking it to Graham’s advocacy and to a sanctions package the Senate was preparing to vote on.
NPR added that Graham’s death left a priority for Republican leaders in the Senate, with the sanctions bill planned for a procedural vote after the end of services in Washington.
