Leaders from across the political spectrum gathered in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday for the first day of funeral services honouring Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on 12 July 2026 at the age of 71. The South Carolina Republican's flag-draped casket lay in the Capitol Rotunda for a congressional tribute before a service was held at Washington National Cathedral, reflecting his standing as a long-serving and influential figure in Congress, particularly on foreign policy.

Attendees included Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Vice President J.D. Vance, President Trump, New Hampshire Governor Kelly Ayotte, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underlining Graham's international profile, especially his advocacy on Ukraine. Thune praised him as someone who "took his job more seriously" than anyone while also being able to "crack up a room", and Vance recalled his "swashbuckling, infectious laugh". A second memorial service was due to take place on Wednesday in Columbia, South Carolina, Graham's home state, where his sister Darline Graham has been appointed to serve out the remainder of his Senate term.