Veteran U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a brief and sudden illness.
In a statement shared on X on Sunday, July 12, Graham’s office confirmed his passing. According to reports, emergency responders were called to his Capitol Hill residence on Saturday night after receiving reports of a cardiac arrest.
U.S. President Donald Trump led tributes, describing Graham as one of the finest senators he had known and praising his unwavering commitment to serving the United States.
Graham’s relationship with Trump underwent a dramatic transformation over the years. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he was one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics, dismissing claims that a potential election loss would be the result of a rigged system.
Following Trump’s inauguration, however, Graham emerged as one of the president’s closest allies in the Senate. Despite their strong political alliance, he publicly criticised Trump’s decision in early 2025 to pardon about 1,500 people convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, warning that the move could encourage similar acts of violence.
Throughout his political career, Graham established himself as a leading voice on U.S. foreign policy and national security. He consistently advocated for a strong military, supported robust American engagement abroad, backed Israel and Ukraine, and maintained a firm stance against Iran.
His death drew condolences from leaders around the world. Israel Katz described Graham as a steadfast friend of Israel who stood by the country during some of its most difficult periods.
Just days before his death, Graham travelled to Kyiv, where he met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss Ukraine’s air defence requirements and proposed sanctions on Russia. During the visit, he argued that China had significant leverage to encourage Russia to pursue peace negotiations.
Graham was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995. At the time of his death, he chaired the Senate Budget Committee and also served on the Senate Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works Committees. He was unmarried and resided in Seneca, South Carolina.
Source: citinews
