Veteran US Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican who evolved from an outspoken critic of Donald Trump to one of the president’s closest allies in Congress, has died at the age of 71.
Graham, who most recently chaired the Senate Budget Committee, also served on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Environment and Public Works Committee.
A former US Air Force lawyer and member of the South Carolina Air National Guard, Graham began his Senate career after winning election in 2002. He previously represented South Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District in the House of Representatives, having first been elected in 1994. He was unmarried and lived in Seneca, South Carolina.
His office announced on X early Sunday that he died following a “brief and sudden illness.” According to US media reports, emergency responders were called to his Capitol Hill residence on Saturday night after receiving a report of cardiac arrest.
The South Carolina senator had recently returned from a visit to Ukraine and was due to appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning before his death.
President Donald Trump paid tribute to Graham, describing him as “one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known” and praising him as a dedicated patriot.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed his condolences, saying he was “deeply saddened” by Graham’s passing and calling him “a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.”
Known as a strong advocate of US national security, Graham consistently backed robust defence policies and was a vocal supporter of Israel and Ukraine while maintaining a firm stance against Iran.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Graham strongly opposed Trump’s candidacy, warning that nominating him would severely damage the party. However, after Trump entered the White House, the two developed a close political relationship, with Graham becoming one of the president’s most dependable allies and frequent golfing partners.
Despite that alliance, Graham publicly criticised Trump’s decision after returning to office last year to pardon around 1,500 people involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, cautioning that the move could encourage future violence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also mourned Graham’s death, saying Israel had “lost one of its greatest friends,” while the United States had lost “a great patriot.”
Just days before his death, Graham said China could play a crucial role in persuading Russia to enter peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine. During his latest visit to Kyiv, he met President Zelenskyy to discuss Ukraine’s air defence requirements and proposed sanctions targeting Russia.
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