Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after a brief and unexpected illness, his office says

By — Seung Min Kim, Associated Press Seung Min Kim, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/sen-lindsey-graham-dies-after-a-brief-and-unexpected-illness-his-office-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after a brief and unexpected illness, his office says Politics Jul 12, 2026 9:37 AM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump's closest allies in Congress who traveled the globe to advocate for a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy, has died after a "brief and sudden illness," his office said. He was 71. The statement posted on social media early Sunday did not provide any additional details about the South Carolina Republican, a former Air Force lawyer, and said his family "appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period." "Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!" Trump posted on social media early Sunday. "He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!" READ MORE: Project 2025 author Paul Dans drops primary challenge to Lindsey Graham in South Carolina Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said "my heart is heavy this morning to learn the passing of my friend and colleague." Thune said Graham was "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." Graham was one of the most influential figures in Washington on foreign policy, and he advised Trump on matters such as Iran and Russia. The senator had just returned from Ukraine and announced an agreement on Friday with the Trump administration to move forward on a package of Russia sanctions. He had been scheduled to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday morning. As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Graham had a central role during Trump's second term as Republicans pushed major legislation on party-line votes while holding a narrow 53-47 majority in the chamber. Under South Carolina law, Republican Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Graham, who was seeking a fifth term in November. Graham was close with Trump Graham, who was elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the House, long promoted a policy of robust U.S. military interventionism and strong national defense that in later years would put him at odds with the growing isolationist wing of the Republican Party. More recently, Graham had become well-known for his close ties with Trump, whom the senator briefly ran against for the party's presidential nomination in 2016. Their relationship would begin on a rough note, with Graham calling the then-New York businessman "unfit for office." Graham also u