Pivotal US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71
Graham's office said that he died on Saturday evening "from a brief and sudden illness".
· CNA · JoinRead a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST
US Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Republican who went from a vocal critic of Donald Trump to one of his most loyal allies on Capitol Hill after Trump became president, has died at age 71.
The South Carolina lawmaker died after a "brief and sudden illness", his office posted on X early on Sunday. NBC News said emergency personnel had responded to a call for cardiac arrest at his Capitol Hill home on Saturday night.
"Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period," his office said.
Shortly after Graham's death was announced, Trump called him "one of the greatest people and senators I have known" and a hard-working patriot.
CNA Games
Guess Word
Crack the word, one row at a time
Buzzword
Create words using the given letters
Mini Sudoku
Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser
Mini Crossword
Small grid, big challenge
Word Search
Spot as many words as you can
Show More
Show Less
During the 2016 campaign, during which Graham was among many Republicans who lost the presidential nomination to Trump, he posted on social media: "If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed ... and we will deserve it."
Later, after becoming a staunch supporter, Graham publicly disagreed with Trump's early 2025 decision to pardon about 1,500 of the president's supporters who attacked the US Capitol on Jan 6, 2021, saying it could lead to more violence.
A defence hawk, Graham "consistently pushed for outcomes in the War on Terror that protect our long-term national security interests", his website said. He was a prominent supporter of Israel and Ukraine and opponent of Iran.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz posted on X that he was deeply saddened by the death of Graham, "who stood with Israel at its most difficult moments".
On Friday, Graham said China could play a decisive role in pressuring Russia towards peace talks, helping end its war in Ukraine. Graham, a frequent visitor to Ukraine, met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. They discussed Ukraine's air defence needs and a Russian sanctions bill, Zelenskyy said.
Graham said bolstering Ukraine's military capabilities and aligning sanctions with a diplomatic push could force Moscow into talks.
"The road to ending this war, the road to peace, passes through Beijing more than it does (through) Washington, Kyiv, or Moscow," Graham told reporters at Kyiv's Mykhailivska Square.
"China has an oversized influence. I'd like them to use their influence for the good of the world."
"I don't believe (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is there yet, but it wouldn't take much to get him there."
Graham recently served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. Graham also served as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Graham, a former Air Force lawyer and member of the South Carolina Air National Guard, was elected to the US Senate in 2002. Before that, he was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994 for South Carolina's 3rd congressional district, according to his website.
He was not married and lived in Seneca, South Carolina.
Sign up for our newsletters
Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox
Get the CNA app
Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories
Get WhatsApp alerts
Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app