WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican lawmaker, influential foreign policy voice, and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, died Saturday following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” He was 71.
Graham’s office announced his death early Sunday, asking for privacy on behalf of his family but providing no further details about the circumstances surrounding his passing. President Donald Trump paid tribute to the South Carolina senator, describing him as “like a member of the family” and recalling that the two had spoken shortly before Graham’s death following the senator’s return from a trip to Ukraine.
A Republican from South Carolina, Graham served in the U.S. Senate since 2003 after representing his state’s 3rd Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. Before entering politics, he served as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps and later retired from the Air Force Reserve with the rank of colonel.
Throughout his Senate career, Graham became one of the chamber’s most prominent voices on national security and foreign policy. He consistently advocated for a strong U.S. military, robust support for allies including Israel and Ukraine, and a more aggressive approach toward America’s geopolitical rivals. He also chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and later the Senate Budget Committee, helping shape major Republican legislative priorities and judicial confirmations.
Graham’s political relationship with Trump evolved dramatically over the past decade. After sharply criticizing Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, he later emerged as one of the president’s most loyal congressional allies and trusted advisers on foreign affairs and judicial nominations. Despite occasional disagreements, Graham remained a key figure within Trump’s political circle and frequently defended the administration’s policies.
Colleagues from both political parties remembered Graham as an influential senator known for his willingness to work across party lines on issues such as immigration while remaining a steadfast conservative on defense and national security. His close friendship with the late Senator John McCain also helped shape his reputation as one of Congress’ leading foreign policy hawks.
Under South Carolina law, Governor Henry McMaster is expected to appoint an interim senator until a special election is held to fill the remainder of Graham’s term.
Born on July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina, Graham served more than three decades in Congress and became one of the Republican Party’s most recognizable national figures. His career spanned the presidencies of both Republican and Democratic administrations, during which he played significant roles in debates over war, judicial appointments, immigration, taxation, and U.S. foreign policy.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
