Lindsey Graham Dies at 71, Leaving a Major Vacancy in the U.S. Senate
The longtime South Carolina senator was one of Washington’s most recognizable Republican voices, known for his influence on foreign policy, judicial confirmations and his complicated political partnership with Donald Trump.
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has died at the age of 71, bringing an end to a political career that placed him near the center of many of the most consequential debates in modern Washington.
His death followed a sudden illness shortly after he returned from a visit to Ukraine, where he had once again expressed support for the country in its war against Russia. Preliminary medical findings attributed his death to an aortic dissection associated with cardiovascular disease.
For more than two decades in the Senate, Graham developed a reputation as an outspoken advocate for a strong American military and an active role for the United States overseas.
He was rarely a quiet presence.
Whether questioning officials during televised hearings, defending military alliances or negotiating behind closed doors, Graham approached politics with an intensity that made him both influential and deeply polarizing.