Pentagon to rename Charleston military base after Lindsey Graham

The Department of War announced on Tuesday that it would rename Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Graham died unexpectedly this month and was succeeded by his sister, Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., who is running for a full term. The late Graham's funeral is taking place Monday, beginning at the U.S. Capitol, before proceeding to Washington National Cathedral.

The South Carolina Post & Courier first reported on the Pentagon's plans to rename the base, citing a June 27 letter from Air Force Secretary Troy Meink in which he ordered staff to prepare for the renaming.

“Senator Graham’s lifelong devotion to the military was shaped by his own military service and his public service in both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives,” Meink said in the letter. “His steadfast advocacy was instrumental in modernizing our military infrastructure and enhancing aviation security, ensuring that Joint Base Charleston remains as one of America’s premier military installations.”

Graham entered the Senate in 2003, replacing longtime Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.