Don’t miss the full story from our staff writers, whose reportage is the basis of this article.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican and one of President Trump’s closest congressional allies, died Saturday evening at 71 following a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said in a social media post. His office did not release further details about the cause of death and asked for privacy for the family during “this incredibly difficult period.”
Graham had run against Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination before becoming one of his most trusted advisers, frequently consulting with him on foreign policy issues including Iran and Russia. Just a day before his death, Graham had announced an agreement with the Trump administration to advance a package of Russia sanctions. Trump, in a social media post, called Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators” he had known and said he “was always working, and was a true American Patriot.”
Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee and previously led the Senate Judiciary Committee. Tributes poured in from congressional colleagues across the aisle. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Graham’s military and congressional service “carried him to far-flung regions of the world,” while Sen. Tim Scott, his fellow South Carolinian, said the state “lost a statesman” and he “lost a friend.” Even Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, who said he and Graham “disagreed on plenty over the years,” praised Graham’s commitment to national security. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called him “irreplaceable.”
International reaction was similarly significant. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Graham understood that “the security of Israel and America are inseparable” and mourned the loss of “a beloved friend.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had met with Graham twice in the past week during the senator’s 10th visit to Ukraine, called him a “true defender of freedom.” Not all reaction was favorable, however — Iranian state television declared that Graham “has been sent to hell,” citing his long history of backing policies to isolate Iran and curb its nuclear program.
Before his alliance with Trump, Graham was best known as part of the “Three Amigos” alongside the late Sens. John McCain and Joe Lieberman, a trio known for championing an assertive, hawkish U.S. foreign policy around the globe.
Read more: Tributes flood in after sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham
This article was constructed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published by a member of The Washington Times’ AI News Desk team. The contents of this report are based solely on The Washington Times’ original reporting, wire services, and/or other sources cited within the report. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
