Sean Hannity defends Lindsey Graham against 'warmonger' label as Trump calls him 'extremely hawkish'

WASHINGTON, DC: Political commentator Sean Hannity defended the late Senator Lindsey Graham's foreign policy record during a memorial service Tuesday, July 28, saying the longtime South Carolina Republican was "the opposite" of a warmonger despite criticism he frequently faced over his hawkish views.

Hannity's remarks came at Washington National Cathedral, where President Donald Trump also delivered a eulogy honoring Graham. While praising the senator's commitment to American national security, Trump described him as someone who "never saw a war he didn't like," framing the comment as reflective of Graham's strong belief in American military power.

Sean Hannity says Lindsey Graham sought peace despite 'warmonger' criticism

Speaking during the service, Hannity thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for attending and highlighted Graham's long-standing support for Israel.

"He loved you. He loved the state of Israel. He loved the people of Israel," Hannity said, addressing Netanyahu. "Under your leadership, Israel has been one of America's most consistent and loyal allies... Lindsey was that friend to Israel in the United States Senate."

Hannity also pushed back against criticism Graham had received over the years regarding his foreign policy positions. 

"As long as I've known this man, Lindsey, he was often unfairly characterized as a warmonger. I have heard that false criticism a lot. It's not true. The truth was the opposite," Hannity said. "Lindsey desperately wanted and talked to the president about a lasting peace in the Middle East. He wanted every region, every country in the region on that path to peace. That was Lindsey's dream."

Later in his remarks, Hannity said Graham believed peace could only come after defeating threats posed by Iran. "If people would only listen to what he had been saying. His greatest gift in life from my perspective was Lindsey had moral clarity," Hannity said. "He understood right from wrong, good from evil... there can be no path to peace until evil is defeated."

Trump highlights Lindsey Graham's hawkish approach in funeral tribute

During his own eulogy, Trump praised Graham's decades of public service and described him as a leading voice on national security and foreign policy, while also acknowledging the senator's reputation for supporting military action.

"While he was always quick to laugh, no one ever doubted the gravity of his mission," Trump said. "Above all, Lindsey Graham believed in a strong America. He wanted a strong America. He had unwavering faith in the righteousness of American power and prayer."

Trump then added, "He was extremely hawkish, I'll tell you; he never saw a war he didn't like. Only his true friends would understand that, but he wanted it for the good of our country. He felt in his bones that our destiny is to win, and that his job was to do everything he could to ensure our enemies would lose." 

The differing characterizations came as political leaders, foreign dignitaries and longtime allies gathered in Washington to honor Graham's decades-long Senate career and his influence on US foreign policy.