Washington, July 12, (dpa/GNA) – US Senator Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican lawmaker and influential voice on national security who became one of President Donald Trump’s closest advisers and allies, has died after a “brief and sudden illness,” his office said on Sunday. He was 71.
Graham died on Saturday evening, according to the statement. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time, and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said.
Emergency personnel responded to a report of a person in cardiac arrest at Graham’s Washington home on Saturday evening, according to police scanner audio cited by multiple US media outlets, including NBC and CNN.
However, neither his office nor those close to the senator have confirmed the cause of death. The news came as a surprise given Graham’s active public schedule. He had celebrated his 71st birthday on Thursday, met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev on Friday, and had been due to appear in an interview on NBC News on Sunday morning.
Graham was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994, representing the southern state of South Carolina, before moving to the Senate in 2003.
He was seeking a fifth six-year term in November’s mid-term elections. One of the best-known members of Congress, Graham evolved from being one of Trump’s fiercest Republican critics during the 2016 Republican presidential primary into one of his most powerful allies on Capitol Hill.
While seeking the Republican presidential nomination himself, Graham famously denounced Trump as a “race-baiting, xenophobic” bigot and a “jackass.”
The two however later forged a close political and personal relationship, becoming frequent golfing partners and close confidants.
In a social media post, Trump wrote, “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!”
Known for his hawkish defence and foreign policy views, Graham strongly supported military action against Islamic State and was a long-time backer of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
More recently, he had called for “regime change” in Iran and endorsed US and Israeli military strikes on the country. Prior to entering politics, Graham had served as a military lawyer in the Air Force. He had also been a member of the US Air Force Reserve while in Congress.
He was among Congress’ strongest advocates for military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia. He met President Zelensky in Kiev on Friday. “Good meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Kyiv,” Zelensky had written on X on Friday, alongside a video of the two shaking hands. “This is already his 10th visit to our country, and we appreciate this support.” The footage captured Zelensky wishing Graham a happy birthday and asking how he was feeling. “Older. Older. But no wiser,” Graham replied with a smile.
During the visit, Graham announced that the White House supported a new sanctions bill targeting Russia. Following Graham’s death, Zelensky described him as “a true defender of freedom” and one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in Washington.
“He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed,” Zelensky wrote on X, adding that Graham had worked on initiatives aimed at bringing peace closer, including stronger sanctions against Russia. “America and the world have lost a determined leader,” Zelensky wrote.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also paid tribute, describing Graham as one of Israel’s closest friends in the US Senate. “Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are inseparable,” Netanyahu wrote. “He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world.” “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu added.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, described Graham as “a powerful advocate for America” who believed strongly in NATO and had been “actively working to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.” “My thoughts are with his family, friends, and terrific team. I will miss him dearly,” Rutte wrote on X. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote: “US Senator Lindsey Graham was a true friend and partner of Germany in the transatlantic alliance. We stood side by side for more than four decades. I will miss him.”
GNA