(By Staff Reporter, WASHINGTON, D.C.)
Veteran Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most influential voices on national security and foreign policy in Congress, died suddenly on Saturday at the age of 71 following a brief illness, according to a statement released by his office.
Senator Graham had returned to Washington just one day earlier after a diplomatic visit to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss continued U.S. military assistance and stronger sanctions against Russia.
President Donald Trump said he had spoken with Graham shortly before his death and recalled that the senator mentioned feeling “a little tired” after his overseas trip. Trump later paid tribute, calling Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” Leaders from both political parties, along with officials from Ukraine, Israel, and allied nations, honored Graham’s decades of public service and unwavering commitment to America’s national security.
First elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and serving since 2003, Graham became a leading Republican voice on defense, judicial nominations, and foreign affairs. During his more than two decades in the Senate, he played a pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy and military strategy.
Under South Carolina law, Governor Henry McMaster is expected to appoint an interim U.S. senator to serve until a successor is elected. Graham’s passing temporarily narrows the Republican majority in the Senate and is expected to have significant political implications in Washington and South Carolina ahead of the November 3, 2026, election.
