Trump Meets Netanyahu and Zelenskyy at Graham Funeral Amid Iran, Ukraine Wars

Washington marked the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham with ceremonies on Tuesday that drew President Donald Trump and foreign leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Graham, the South Carolina Republican who died at age 71 from an aortic dissection linked to cardiovascular disease, received a private service in the Capitol Rotunda followed by a funeral at Washington National Cathedral.

The morning ceremony at the Capitol recognized Graham's Air Force service through an Armed Forces Body Bearer team and his Senate tenure with a Capitol Police memorial guard. Senate Majority Leader John Thune described Graham as both colleague and friend, noting his decades of public service from military duty through state and national office. The events remained closed to the public but were livestreamed, with additional services planned in South Carolina on Wednesday including a procession at the state capitol and a public funeral at First Baptist Church of Columbia.

Trump was scheduled to deliver a tribute at the cathedral, where other speakers included conservative commentator Sean Hannity. Graham's younger sister, Darline Graham Nordon, who was appointed to complete his term and sworn in earlier this month, attended as the family representative. She plans to run in the upcoming primary. Graham had raised her after their parents died when she was a teenager, adjusting his own education plans to remain nearby.

Graham's record showed a progression from early criticism of Trump during the 2016 campaign to a close alliance on several issues. He maintained a consistent emphasis on assertive American involvement abroad, including repeated visits to Ukraine and advocacy for sanctions against Russia. His final trip included meetings in Kyiv before his death on July 11. Netanyahu and Zelenskyy arrived for the funeral amid separate but overlapping conflicts. Ukraine reported strikes on vessels carrying Iranian-linked cargo in the Caspian Sea, prompting Iranian officials to warn of retaliation. Zelenskyy has sought additional anti-ballistic defenses and renewed discussions on ending the war with Russia, while Netanyahu faces ongoing tensions over the pace of diplomacy with Iran.

Graham's background traced to modest origins as the son of pool hall owners in Pickens County. He rose through the University of South Carolina, Air Force service, and state politics before entering the Senate in 2003. Colleagues across the aisle recalled his role in bipartisan legislation, though his foreign policy positions aligned more with traditional hawkish priorities than restraint.

The gatherings coincide with stalled progress on multiple fronts. Trump has paused certain U.S. actions in the Middle East to allow further talks, while Ukrainian forces report recent defensive gains against Russian advances. These developments occur against a backdrop of high costs in lives and resources for the United States and its partners, facts that have long prompted debate over the sustainability of such commitments. Graham's legislative efforts on sanctions advanced in the Senate but face uncertain timelines for enactment.