The death of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has left his close friend and ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., as the leader of the “maverick” caucus in the Senate — a positive development for the White House, since Graham has a much better relationship with President Trump.

Graham served as a bridge between Trump and McCain during a tense week in which the president was reluctant to pay tribute to the late senator, with whom he had often quarreled, and was effectively shut out of the official memorial services.