Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died at the age of 71 after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”
Graham died Saturday night, according to a statement released by his office early Sunday.
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said.
The longtime senator had represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003 and was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. He had also secured the Republican nomination for a fifth Senate term earlier this year.
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Trump remembers Graham as a “true American Patriot”
President Donald Trump was among the first national leaders to pay tribute, calling Graham one of the greatest senators he had ever known.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Graham as:
“One of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.”
He also called the South Carolina Republican a:
“True American Patriot.”
The two men shared a complicated political history. Graham was once a vocal critic of Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary before later becoming one of his closest allies in the Senate and one of the administration’s strongest voices on national security and foreign policy.
Emergency responders called to Graham’s home
According to NBC News, emergency crews responded Saturday night to a report of cardiac arrest at Graham’s Capitol Hill residence.
Police scanner audio reviewed by NBC News indicated emergency personnel were dispatched after the call.
Photographs from the scene showed paramedics transporting a person on a stretcher from Graham’s home to an ambulance while police and fire crews remained outside.
A senior member of Graham’s staff later told NBC News there had been no indication the senator had been feeling unwell before his death. He had been scheduled to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday.
Tributes pour in from Washington and abroad
Senate Majority Leader John Thune honored Graham as:
“A strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe.”
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster described Graham as:
“The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend.”
International leaders also remembered Graham’s decades of work on foreign policy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had met Graham in Kyiv just one day before his death. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked the senator for recognizing Ukraine’s military and said they discussed the country’s air defense needs and additional sanctions against Russia.
Ukraine’s Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk later called Graham:
“A steadfast friend of Ukraine.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute, saying Graham understood that the security of Israel and the United States was closely connected.
“Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend.”
Who will replace Lindsey Graham?
Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint someone to fill Graham’s Senate seat until January 3 of next year.
Because Graham had already secured the Republican nomination for another Senate campaign after winning June’s primary, state Republicans must now choose a new nominee. State election law is expected to require a special primary by August 11.
A career spanning Congress and the military
Born in Central, South Carolina, Graham became the first member of his family to attend college before earning a law degree from the University of South Carolina.
He served as a lawyer in the U.S. Air Force and later continued his military service through the Air Force Reserve and South Carolina Air National Guard while serving in Congress.
After 33 years of military service, Graham retired in 2015 with the rank of Colonel.
He entered Congress in 1995 as a member of the House of Representatives before winning election to the U.S. Senate in 2002, succeeding longtime Senator Strom Thurmond.
Influential voice on foreign policy
Throughout his Senate career, Graham became one of the Republican Party’s most prominent voices on defense and international affairs.
He consistently advocated strong U.S. support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion and urged successive administrations to maintain a firm stance toward Iran.
He was also well known for his close relationships with late Sen. John McCain and former Sen. Joe Lieberman, with the trio often referred to as the “Three Amigos” because of their shared foreign policy positions.
Most recently, Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee after previously leading the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021.
Final public appearances
Graham’s death came just days after returning from Ukraine, where he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
Despite maintaining a busy public schedule, aides said there had been no signs that the senator was seriously ill before his sudden death.
His passing marks the end of more than three decades of public service that included military service, nearly eight years in the House of Representatives, and over two decades in the U.S. Senate.
