Arrangements for the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral have grown increasingly complicated because of the number of world leaders planning to attend, one Republican says.
Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump, died on July 11 after suffering an aortic tear, according to medical officials.
Upon the news of his death, politicians from across the political spectrum and around the globe flooded social media with tributes to the South Carolina politician known as the “Trump Whisperer.”
Speaking at the National Republican Senatorial Committee on July 15, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott updated reporters on arrangements for Graham’s funeral.
“The funeral arrangements have been complicated by the fact that so many global leaders would like to attend,” he said. “The process of figuring out when the National Cathedral would be made available at the exact same time that the global leaders who want to come and all the other national leaders who will be there has made it a little more difficult.”
The senator added that a funeral taking place this week is an “impossibility.”
Scott also noted that he had spoken with Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, and that she had told him that funeral services could take place next week. However, he did say that planning was also extended into the following week.
Once the service in Washington, D.C., has happened, Scott said that he expects a service in South Carolina to take place “within a day but no more than two days.”
The senator said that he understands an offer for Graham to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol was made ahead of the D.C. ceremony.
Scott did not detail which global or national leaders had expressed an interest in attending Graham’s funeral.
The office for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told The Times of Israel that his trip to the U.S. had been delayed until the end of the month, due to Graham’s funeral service being pushed back. Netanyahu was expected to fly to the U.S. next week.
Paying tribute to Graham on July 12, Netanyahu said: “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.”
Trump described Graham on Truth Social as “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on social media that Graham had actively worked to “bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Graham “was here with our people when it was most needed.”
Graham died from an aortic rupture caused by hardened arteries, according to a preliminary report released by the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia, released by his office.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline, to fill the vacancy left in his seat until the current term ends in January. A Republican primary for the seat is set for August 11 and could be followed by an August 25 runoff, the South Carolina State Election Commission confirmed on social media.
