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President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered American flags across the country to be flown at half-staff through Saturday evening in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, praising the South Carolina Republican as a close friend and longtime public servant.
Graham, one of President Trump’s closest allies in the Senate, died unexpectedly Saturday.
After paying tribute to Graham in television interviews and on social media throughout the day, the president issued a presidential proclamation directing that flags remain at half-staff until 6 p.m. Saturday.
“In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Saturday evening at 6 P.M.,” he wrote. “GOD BLESS YOU LINDSEY!”
The proclamation applies to American flags at the White House, public buildings, military installations, naval vessels and other federal properties throughout the United States, as well as U.S. embassies, consulates and diplomatic facilities abroad.
President Trump’s order follows the death of Graham, who served South Carolina in the Senate for more than two decades and was a leading voice on national security, foreign policy and judicial nominations. He also became one of Trump’s most prominent allies during the president’s first and second terms.
The president also revealed on Sunday that he spoke by phone with Graham just hours before his passing.
“What makes it even stranger is I got a call last night some time in the early evening, maybe in the sevens, and he called, and he said we’re all set for the SAVE America Act,” he said during a Sunday interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “He was pushing the SAVE America Act like crazy.”
He noted that Graham had just returned from Ukraine.
“He said he just landed from Ukraine. That’s a long trip to make. He sounded a little tired, but perfect,” President Trump said. “He actually said he was tired, but he wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, ‘Well, we’ll get it done, Lindsey. I’ll get it done. I’ll see you soon. We might even meet today,'” he added.