President Trump described the late Senator Lindsey Graham as a committed military hawk ahead of his funeral, saying he had “never seen a war that he didn’t like”. The remarks highlight Graham’s long-standing support for assertive US military action and may draw attention because they were made while Trump was publicly mourning a close political ally.

Trump said Graham had been particularly hawkish on Iran, although he had also urged a deal to end the conflict there. He said Graham remained strongly supportive of Ukraine in its war with Russia. Graham, the Republican senator for South Carolina, died earlier in July, and memorial services were being held in Washington.