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

Washington marked the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham on Tuesday with ceremonies that underscored both his long career in public service and the foreign policy tensions that defined his later years. The South Carolina Republican, who died at 71 from an aortic dissection, received tributes at the Capitol Rotunda and Washington National Cathedral, events that drew President Donald Trump as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Graham’s casket arrived at the Capitol around 10 a.m. for a private ceremony honoring his Air Force service and more than three decades in Congress. An Armed Forces Body Bearer team carried the remains inside, followed by a Capitol Police memorial guard. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted that the setting allowed colleagues to recognize Graham’s role as a connector across party lines and between domestic politics and international affairs. The service remained closed to the public but was livestreamed.

From the Capitol, the procession moved to Washington National Cathedral for a 2 p.m. funeral. Trump was scheduled to deliver the main tribute, reflecting the close alliance the two men formed after Graham’s early opposition to Trump’s 2016 candidacy. Other speakers included Fox News host Sean Hannity. Netanyahu and Zelenskyy attended, their presence highlighting Graham’s consistent advocacy for robust American engagement abroad, particularly regarding support for Ukraine and pressure on Iran.

Graham had visited Kyiv shortly before his death, meeting Zelenskyy and discussing new sanctions and tariffs aimed at Russia. He had traveled to the country at least ten times since the 2022 invasion. His sister, Darline Graham Nordon, who was appointed to complete his term and is seeking a full term in an August primary, also participated in the day’s events. She had been raised by Graham after their parents died when she was a teenager.

The dual presence of Netanyahu and Zelenskyy occurred against a backdrop of stalled diplomacy and active conflict. Zelenskyy arrived seeking additional anti-ballistic missile systems and renewed talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Netanyahu’s visit marked the first in-person meeting with Trump since strains emerged over the pace of negotiations with Iran and the scope of Israeli operations. Trump has paused some U.S. strikes to allow for diplomatic efforts, a step that has created friction with both allies.

Graham’s record showed a steady preference for using American leverage to shape outcomes in both theaters. He backed sanctions packages and military assistance while maintaining relationships across the Republican Party and with foreign counterparts. Colleagues described him as someone who used personal rapport to advance legislation that might otherwise stall, a style that produced results on issues ranging from criminal justice reform to defense authorizations.

Additional services are planned in South Carolina on Wednesday, including a public funeral at First Baptist Church in Columbia and a private burial in Pickens County. The two-day sequence closes a chapter for a senator whose career spanned military service, state politics and national security debates that remain unresolved.