Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., an advocate for strong U.S. military action around the globe and a staunch supporter — and occasional critic — of President Donald Trump, died of a “brief and sudden” illness Saturday, his office announced early Sunday.
He was 71.
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“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” a statement released by his Senate office said.
Another statement from his office later said preliminary findings from the D.C. medical examiner’s office were that the late senator suffered from an aortic dissection, The Washington Post reported. That’s when there’s a tear in the inner layer of the main artery.
The statement said the aortic dissection was caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
A District of Columbia emergency crew responded to Graham’s home in Washington about 8:30 p.m. Saturday on a call about a man experiencing chest pains, according to The Wall Street Journal, which reviewed dispatch audio. The first firefighters who arrived got no answer at the door, The Journal reported, but later radio traffic referred to a man in cardiac arrest.
Graham was first elected to the Senate from his native South Carolina in 2002 after serving eight years in the House of Representatives. He recently won the GOP nomination to seek a fifth term in the Senate.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, can immediately appoint a replacement for Graham, who would be considered a frontrunner to succeed him after the November election.
A former military lawyer, Graham advocated for an interventionist foreign policy. He had long supported military action against Iran and was a defender of both Ukraine and Israel. He recently visited Ukraine to tour a drone factory and meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to The New York Times.
On X, Zelenskyy described Graham as “a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.” He said Graham had traveled to Ukraine 10 times since Russia invaded in 2022.
In recent weeks, Zelenskyy said, Graham had been “working on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including stronger sanctions against Russia. We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders.”
Graham sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, clashing with Trump over style and substance.
“You know how you make America great again?” he said in an interview with CNN during the campaign. “Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.”
But at 3:21 a.m. ET Sunday, Trump praised Graham in a post on Truth Social.
“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!!! … So sad!”
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