WASHINGTON — US Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican lawmaker from South Carolina and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”A statement released by Graham’s office late Saturday did not disclose the cause of death and said his family “appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”President Trump paid tribute to Graham in a social media post early Sunday.”Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Trump wrote. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed.”Senate Majority Leader John Thune described Graham as “a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe.””He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause,” Thune said.Elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives, Graham became one of the Republican Party’s leading voices on national security and foreign policy, consistently advocating a strong US military and an active American role overseas.Although he initially opposed Trump’s 2016 presidential bid and called him “unfit for office,” the two later developed a close political alliance after Trump entered the White House. Graham became one of the president’s most trusted advisers on foreign policy and remained a key ally throughout Trump’s second term.Graham played a prominent role in shaping Republican legislative priorities, serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and previously leading the Senate Judiciary Committee during the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in 2020.He also helped craft a bipartisan immigration reform proposal in 2013, although the legislation ultimately failed to become law.In recent years, Graham was a vocal supporter of Ukraine and frequently traveled abroad to meet world leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described him as “a true defender of freedom,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “a great friend of Israel.”Graham was serving his fifth term in the Senate and was campaigning for reelection.Under South Carolina law, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement to serve until January.Graham never married and had no children. He is survived by his sister, Darline Graham Nordone.WASHINGTON — US Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican lawmaker from South Carolina and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”A statement released by Graham’s office late Saturday did not disclose the cause of death and said his family “appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”President Trump paid tribute to Graham in a social media post early Sunday.”Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Trump wrote. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed.”Senate Majority Leader John Thune described Graham as “a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe.””He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause,” Thune said.Elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives, Graham became one of the Republican Party’s leading voices on national security and foreign policy, consistently advocating a strong US military and an active American role overseas.Although he initially opposed Trump’s 2016 presidential bid and called him “unfit for office,” the two later developed a close political alliance after Trump entered the White House. Graham became one of the president’s most trusted advisers on foreign policy and remained a key ally throughout Trump’s second term.Graham played a prominent role in shaping Republican legislative priorities, serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and previously leading the Senate Judiciary Committee during the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in 2020.He also helped craft a bipartisan immigration reform proposal in 2013, although the legislation ultimately failed to become law.In recent years, Graham was a vocal supporter of Ukraine and frequently traveled abroad to meet world leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described him as “a true defender of freedom,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “a great friend of Israel.”Graham was serving his fifth term in the Senate and was campaigning for reelection.Under South Carolina law, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement to serve until January.Graham never married and had no children. He is survived by his sister, Darline Graham Nordone.
US Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71 after brief illness
