Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday evening following a sudden illness, his office announced Sunday morning. He was 71 years old and had been in the Senate since 2003.
Graham's death will reverberate across Washington and Republican politics. He was preparing for a November re-election campaign and had no known health issues before the sudden onset of his final illness. His office released a statement requesting privacy for his family during the period ahead.
The senator had been notably active in recent weeks, including a visit to Ukraine where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week. Zelenskyy posted on social media Friday praising their conversation and thanking Graham for his support of Ukrainian forces.
Graham's political journey with Donald Trump was dramatic and consequential. When Trump first ran for president in 2016, Graham was among his sharpest critics, calling him a "jackass" and "the most flawed nominee in the history of the Republican party" on social media. Trump responded by dismissing Graham as an "idiot" and a "lightweight."
That animosity dissolved entirely once Trump secured power. Graham became one of the president's most dependable allies in Congress, serving as a crucial bridge between the White House and the legislative branch. In 2018, he orchestrated a vigorous public defense of Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh during confirmation hearings.
Graham's loyalty wavered only once, immediately after the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. He publicly declared his frustration with Trump, saying "count me out" and "enough is enough." But the moment passed. He refused to vote for conviction at Trump's second impeachment trial and quickly realigned himself with the former president, even resuming their regular golf outings.
A retired Air Force reserve colonel and military lawyer by training, Graham was known as a hardline hawk throughout his Senate career. He supported the Iraq war, opposed President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, and consistently advocated for military solutions to foreign policy challenges. His strong support for Israel earned him significant respect among Israeli leaders, with current National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir calling him "one of Israel's greatest friends."
Graham was the last surviving member of the Senate's celebrated "three amigos" alongside John McCain and Joe Lieberman, three close friends who each sought the presidency. McCain died in 2018, Lieberman in 2024.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster called Graham "irreplaceable" and praised him as "the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America."
Author James Rodriguez: "Graham's transformation from Trump's harshest critic to his most reliable lieutenant tells you everything about how the Republican Party has reorganized itself over the past eight years."
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