Lindsey Graham dies at 71
Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 after a sudden illness
Lindsey Graham dies at 71
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent figure in the Republican Party and a strong voice on foreign policy, has died at the age of 71. According to his office, Graham passed away on Saturday evening, July 11, after a sudden illness.
Graham's family has asked for prayer and privacy during this difficult time, and officials have not released further details on the illness.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, a longtime friend and colleague of Graham's, issued a statement mourning his passing. McMaster described Graham as "irreplaceable" and "the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America — and a loyal and steadfast friend." He also expressed his grief and offered condolences to Graham's family and staff.
Graham had a long and distinguished career in politics, serving in the U.S. Senate since 2003. He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives. The senator was known for his hawkish views on national security and his strong support for Israel. He also chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2021 and led the Senate Budget Committee.
Before entering politics, Graham served in the U.S. Air Force's Judge Advocate General's Corps and later the Air Force Reserve, retiring in 2015 as a colonel after 33 years in uniform. He briefly ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and was an early critic of Donald Trump. However, he later became one of Trump's closest Senate allies after Trump took office.
Graham was a strong supporter of Ukraine and had been a vocal advocate for increased military assistance and sanctions against Russia.
Details on funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
According to reports, emergency services personnel responded to a call for "cardiac arrest" at Graham's Washington D.C. Residence on Saturday night. Photos obtained by NBC News indicated that medics carried someone out of the residence on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. However, the cause of death has not yet been publicly released.
Graham's personal life was also marked by his close friendship with President Donald Trump, despite initially opposing Trump's 2016 presidential run. The senator had thanked Trump for his endorsement, which he credited with helping him win his South Carolina primary. Graham was a lifelong bachelor and never had children.
