WASHINGTON: Veteran Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most influential figures in the US Senate and a prominent voice on national security and foreign policy, has died at the age of 71 following a brief illness, his office confirmed on Sunday.
According to a statement released by his office, the South Carolina lawmaker passed away after suffering a “brief and sudden illness.” US media reported that emergency responders were called to his Capitol Hill residence on Saturday night following reports of cardiac arrest.
Trump leads tributes
US President Donald Trump was among the first political leaders to pay tribute, describing Graham as “one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known” and praising him as a dedicated patriot who served the country with distinction.
Graham had recently returned from a visit to Ukraine and was scheduled to appear on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday morning before news of his death emerged.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed his condolences, calling Graham “a true defender of freedom” and thanking him for his unwavering support for Ukraine throughout Russia’s invasion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likewise paid tribute, saying Israel had lost one of its strongest friends and America had lost a committed public servant.
From Trump critic to trusted ally
Lindsey Graham’s political relationship with Donald Trump underwent one of the most notable transformations in modern American politics.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Graham strongly criticized Trump, warning that nominating him could damage the Republican Party. He also publicly described Trump in highly critical terms during television interviews.
However, after Trump entered the White House, Graham gradually became one of his closest allies in Congress. The two developed a strong political relationship, with Graham frequently defending the president’s policies while remaining willing to voice disagreement on certain issues, including Trump’s decision to pardon many individuals convicted over the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Leading voice on foreign policy
Throughout his Senate career, Graham established himself as one of the Republican Party’s leading foreign policy voices.
A strong advocate of robust US military engagement, he consistently supported military assistance for Ukraine, backed close strategic ties with Israel, and maintained a hardline stance toward Iran.
Just days before his death, Graham visited Kyiv, where he met President Zelensky to discuss Ukraine’s air defence needs and additional sanctions against Russia. He argued that greater international pressure, particularly from China, could help push Moscow toward peace negotiations.
Decades of public service
Before entering national politics, Graham served as an attorney in the US Air Force and later became a member of the South Carolina Air National Guard.
He was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994 before winning election to the US Senate in 2002, where he served for more than two decades.
During his time in the Senate, Graham held several influential positions, including chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, and served on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works committees.
His long political career made him one of the most recognizable Republican lawmakers in Washington and a key figure in shaping US national security and foreign policy debates.
