Dignitaries gathered in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday morning to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who died July 11 after suffering an aortic tear. Graham's sister, the newly-appointed Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC), was there with several family members, and senators past and present stood alongside several members of President Trump's Cabinet to pay tribute to their friend.
While the event was not an official "lying in state," it brought in a who's who of political powerhouses to pay tribute to a man described as a “swashbuckling” public servant and a “true American original.” Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) even donned a suit for the solemn occasion.
Vice President JD Vance, who served alongside Graham when he was still in the Senate and now serves as Senate President, gave a touching eulogy and remembered how "Lindsey Graham loved people."
.@VP honors Sen. Lindsey Graham at the U.S. Capitol: "He would walk into the United States Senate, and he would slap you on the back, he would greet the person who served us food. He treated everybody the same because he was fascinated and he loved every single person in this… pic.twitter.com/i7uqowszFR
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 28, 2026
.@VP honors Sen. Lindsey Graham at the U.S. Capitol: "He would walk into the United States Senate, and he would slap you on the back, he would greet the person who served us food. He treated everybody the same because he was fascinated and he loved every single person in this Chamber, and that's a great testament to the man."
Vance told of first meeting Graham on the campaign trail when the now-vice president was running for the Senate in 2022. He remembered, "I learned something from Lindsey Graham — the way that he interacted with people. The way that he was so interested in what was going on and what was moving people and what was motivating them and what they were interested in. That affection and love of people was obvious."
The United States Senate and Key White House Officials Continue the Tributes to Sen. Lindsey Graham
Since Graham's passing, many who knew him talked of his great sense of humor, something Vice President Vance also clearly appreciated. Vance recounted how he asked Sen. Graham to mention his campaign website, JDVance.com, during a media appearance as it could help raise a few dollars. And, boy, did Lindsey Graham deliver.
.@VP recounts a story from his 2022 Senate campaign: "I said, Lindsey, could you maybe mention the website 'JD Vance dot com?' And over a four minute interview, he must've mentioned 'JD Vance dot com' close to a dozen times. The host would ask, 'How is the weather?' and Lindsey… https://t.co/9bl7UpkKTt pic.twitter.com/CJz7YURRy1
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 28, 2026
.@VP recounts a story from his 2022 Senate campaign: "I said, Lindsey, could you maybe mention the website 'JD Vance dot com?' And over a four minute interview, he must've mentioned 'JD Vance dot com' close to a dozen times. The host would ask, 'How is the weather?' and Lindsey would say, 'Well, before I check the weather, I always go to JD Vance dot com.'"
At the conclusion of the service, the Graham family and all those in attendance had the opportunity to approach the casket and say their goodbyes. It was a clear statement of the measure of the man that Republicans and Democrats alike behaved with the utmost decorum and respect.
Lindsey Graham's funeral will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday afternoon at the Washington National Cathedral. President Trump is expected to give a eulogy for his former political rival who became a close friend.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced it will be renaming Joint Base Charleston after the late senator.
The Pentagon is taking steps to rename Joint Base Charleston after Air Force veteran and late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, according to an internal memo first shared with The Post and Courier.
In a letter dated July 27, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink ordered staff to begin work with Air Mobility Command and Joint Base Charleston leadership to take “all necessary and appropriate actions” to begin converting the name of the crucial East Coast air base to Joint Base Lindsey Graham.
Lindsey Graham will be laid to rest Wednesday during a private family event in his home state of South Carolina.
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