Trump says Lindsey Graham's defense of Brett Kavanaugh was his 'finest moment' after senator's death

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Sunday, July 12, said late Senator Lindsey Graham’s defense of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during the contentious 2018 confirmation hearings was the South Carolina Republican's "finest moment," as he reflected on Graham’s legacy following the senator's sudden death.

Trump also described Graham as one of the Senate's strongest advocates and credited him with helping resolve difficult political disputes. Graham died on Saturday, July 11, following what his office described as a "brief and sudden illness."

Trump praises Lindsey Graham's Brett Kavanaugh defense

Trump pointed to Graham's remarks during the September 2018 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing as a defining moment in the senator's career.

"I think his finest moment was his defense of Brett Kavanaugh, who's a terrific guy," Trump said.

The president argued that Kavanaugh had been treated unfairly during the confirmation process.

"And was treated very, very unfairly by the Democrats, very unfairly. I've never seen anything like it. Maybe the worst I've ever seen anyone treated. That includes me. Well, maybe not me, but it includes just about everybody," Trump said.

During the hearings, Christine Blasey Ford accused Kavanaugh of misconduct dating back to their teenage years. Kavanaugh denied the allegation.

At the time, Graham sharply criticized Senate Democrats over the confirmation process, saying, "What you want to do is destroy this guy's life, hold this seat open and hope you win in 2020. You've said that, not me."

Addressing Kavanaugh, Graham added, "You've got nothing to apologize for."

He also described the proceedings as "the most unethical sham" and said, "When you see Sotomayor and Kagan, tell them that Lindsey said hello because I voted for them. I would never do to them what you've done to this guy. And if you really wanted to know the truth, you sure as hell wouldn't have done what you've done to this guy."

Trump said Graham's remarks changed the course of the confirmation battle.

"It was an incredible display, and he did it from the heart. He felt strongly about Brett, and he did it from the heart, and it turned that whole thing around. He was really amazing," Trump said.

Trump remembers Lindsey Graham as a key Senate ally

Beyond the confirmation battle, Trump praised Graham's effectiveness as a senator and said he often relied on him to help resolve disputes with Democrats.

"There was no better advocate. He was a fantastic advocate in the Senate, and he could do things that other people, he was, he was able to. If I had a really big problem with a certain Democrat, he could work it out, you know. That's something most Republicans can't do," Trump said.

The president also described Graham's defense of Kavanaugh as one of the most memorable moments in Senate history.

"I think it was a top 10, maybe a top five moment in the history of the Senate," Trump said. "That was one they should replay."

Graham’s office announced that Lindsey Graham's died following a "brief and sudden illness." He was 71.