The day so far: Washington remembers Lindsey Graham
Tributes have been pouring in this morning as Washington reels from the sudden death of Republican senator Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, at the age of 71. Graham died on Saturday evening after a “brief and sudden illness”, according to a statement from his office, which gave no further details. Citing police scanner audio, emergency medical services received a call at about 8:30pm on Saturday regarding a person suffering chest pains at Graham’s home on Capitol Hill. About 25 minutes later, per the Post, emergency personnel said CPR was in progress and a man was suffering cardiac arrest. There had been no known concerns over the health of Graham, who celebrated his birthday last Thursday and had just returned from a visit to Ukraine.
Donald Trump praised Graham, one of his closest allies, as “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known” and said he had spoken to him on the phone shortly before his death. Graham in many ways embodied the evolution of the Republican party, from a fierce critic of Trump into one of his greatest political cheerleaders once he entered the White House.
“He was like a member of the family,” Trump told NBC’s Meet the Press, adding that they had talked about Graham’s efforts to rally support for the Save America Act in that final phone call.
Graham had made a name for himself as a foreign policy hawk - notably as a leading voice in Congress for support for Ukraine and Israel, whose dignitaries led global tributes today. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had just met with Graham on Friday, said he was “deeply saddened” by his death and that the world had lost “a determined leader” and a “true defender of freedom”. Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “lost one of its greatest friends”, and Israeli president Isaac Herzog said the news had left him “shocked and heartbroken”.
Tributes poured in across Washington, from members of the Trump administration to Graham’s colleagues in Congress and in South Carolina. Several senators have called for the Russia sanctions package, which Graham had worked on for months and received support from Trump on Friday, to be passed when lawmakers return this week in his memory. A fierce backer of Trump’s war on Iran, Graham’s absence will also be felt as the ceasefire collapses and fighting starts up again.
Graham’s death will also impact the Senate and November’s midterm elections. Per state law, South Carolina’s governor may appoint a temporary replacement, but as Graham was up for re-election this year, there will also be a special primary election on 11 August to replace him on the ballot (and a run-off, if necessary, on 25 August). Trump said he had someone in mind to succeed Graham but said it was “too soon” after his death to say.
Explainer: Graham’s death triggers a scramble to replace him – what happens next
South Carolina’s governor, Henry McMaster, has the political decision of a lifetime with the unexpected death in office of Senator Lindsey Graham. The Republican governor and loyalist of Trump will appoint a new senator to serve out the remainder of Graham’s term, which ends on 3 January.
Whoever McMaster appoints will likely have a leg up in a special primary election on 11 August to fill Graham’s place on the November ballot, which he won despite facing five challengers from his party in June. That election calendar favors candidates with wide name recognition and deep institutional support.
The candidate would still run against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, a pediatrician who gained significant support in the red state, but still faces an uphill challenge.
Congressman Joe Wilson has reportedly expressed interest in the seat. Of the Republican delegation to Washington, Wilson is the longest tenured. He has represented South Carolina’s second congressional district since 2001, and his activism within the state’s Republican party predates its dominance in the state’s politics.
Mark Lynch, a Greenville businessman, came in second with 29% of the vote. Lynch was a critic of Graham’s posture toward federal spending, immigration, and budget issues.
Congressman Ralph Norman, who placed third in the Republican gubernatorial primary, has also entered speculation as a successor to Graham, as has Nancy Mace, the ultraconservative congresswoman who came in fifth in a bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Lindsey Graham’s death comes at a perilous time for Senate Republicans, who face a series of legislative priorities pushed by Donald Trump with the August recess just weeks away, Politico notes.
They now have it all to do with an even tighter margin, as the mystery around Mitch McConnell’s health deepens – with no indication of when he might return to Congress – the GOP’s Senate majority stands at 52-47.
Graham’s absence will be felt most immediately by acting attorney general Todd Blanche, who is gearing up for his confirmation hearing before the Senate judiciary committee on Wednesday and was counting on Graham’s crucial vote to see him through. Blanche now faces an uphill battle to prevent even one Republican defection from tanking his entire bid.
The South Carolina Republican was also a crucial voice backing Trump’s authority to continue his war on Iran without congressional approval. Democrats will be pushing back hard on the war over the next few weeks, Politico reported yesterday.
That’s on top of the annual defense policy bill and the supplemental Iran war funding that Trump has been pushing for, which Graham had supported. Senate GOP leaders will also need to replace Graham as chair of the budget committee and fill his vacancy on the appropriations committee.
Former president Joe Biden, who served with Graham in the Senate for over a decade, said he was “shocked by [his] sudden passing.”
Lindsey and I served together in Congress for over a decade, and worked closely on many issues throughout the years. We traveled the world together as members of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. We disagreed often, and sometimes loudly.
Lindsey and I did agree on the profound importance of public service. Like me, he loved the Senate as an institution, even with all its flaws and complexities.
To his family, his staff, his constituents in South Carolina, and everyone who loved him: Jill and I are keeping you in our prayers.
Democratic senator Chris Coons said there was “no better friend, no tougher adversary” than Lindsey Graham as he reflected on their friendship, marked by bipartisan foreign policy achievements and fierce sparring in Congress.
Graham had been “jubilant” after Donald Trump signaled that he was open to moving forward with the Russia sanctions bill, Coons told ABC’s This Week.
“It’s my hope that we will take up and pass this bill in Lindsey’s memory this week when we all get back to session,” he added.
I traveled the world with Lindsey, visiting dozens of countries across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. We argued, advocated, and legislated together for more than fifteen years, and I am stunned by his sudden passing. We had dinner to celebrate his birthday at the Nato summit this past week, and one of my last memories of him will be of his irreverent wit, as well as his patriotism and love of freedom. Lindsey believed in the fundamental goodness of an America that uses its might to support the fight for freedom globally. His passionate advocacy for Ukraine and his tireless fight to impose greater costs on Putin for his war of aggression inspired many of us in the Senate. We should promptly pass his bill with Senator Blumenthal to impose greater sanctions and tariffs on the buyers of Russian oil and gas in his memory.
While we disagreed fiercely on many policy issues, he was complicated and could not be pigeonholed. I will never forget that at the height of the hearings over Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation in 2018, one of the ugliest and most partisan fights we ever had, he was also quietly working hard to save American foreign aid. Several of my most important bills I have passed were with Lindsey, from conservation in Africa to promoting balanced American engagement with fragile states. I will miss having him as a partner in the Senate.
Of my colleagues, few have been able to frustrate and anger, amuse and engage me in a single conversation the way Lindsey could. I will deeply miss his humor, his global view, and his tireless optimism. Annie and I are keeping his family, including his beloved sister Darline, in our prayers.
GOP senator Roger Wicker, of Mississippi, shared this tribute:
There are no words to describe Lindsey Graham, my friend of more than three decades. There are no words to describe his impact on the foreign and domestic policy of the United States. Lindsey served his beloved country in uniform and in the House and Senate. He stood solidly for freedom and strength and he fought for liberty across the globe. Lindsey Graham can be succeeded in office but he cannot be replaced.
Sharing his memories on X, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz recalled meeting Lindsey Graham when the late senator was a colonel in the Air National Guard.
He insisted on spending his 3 weeks annual training in Afghanistan training Afghan Army JAG officers.
From Libya to Lebanon, no member of Congress traveled more to appreciate both the troops and bring ground truth back to legislating.
Most of all, he talked about helping the people of South Carolina and that our freedoms must be defended by projecting strength. Rest easy, Patriot.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said he was “still processing” Graham’s death and “reflecting on his life of service, his great sense of humor, and his love of Israel & the Jewish people.”
He was here in Israel often. He understood the importance of the US/Israel partnership. He will be sorely missed.
Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said that Graham “was a great American and Patriot”.
He was a dedicated public servant who never stopped fighting for the Palmetto State and all Americans.
As a Senator he worked tirelessly for our country. It was an honor to call him my friend. And work with him to advance President Trump’s agenda at home and on the international stage.
Lindsey was a one-of-a-kind politician who could speak at length on both global defense policy and South Carolina kitchen table issues. He will be missed across our state, country and the entire globe.
My prayers are with his sister and extended family during this difficult time.
Acting attorney general Todd Blanche called Lindsey Graham “an American patriot who loved our country”. He wrote on X:
He was a friend whose advice and humor was always appreciated. This is a devastating loss for America and the people of South Carolina, and our prayers are with his family, friends and Senate colleagues.
Democrat Jeanne Shaheen also called on Congress to pass Lindsey Graham’s Russia sanctions legislation, which she said he had described as “one of his most consequential efforts”.
Shaheen, the ranking member on the Senate foreign relations committee, said in a statement:
I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn of my friend senator Lindsey Graham’s sudden passing. Billy and I are keeping his loved ones, constituents and staff close in thought. Lindsey was a tireless advocate for America’s indispensable global role and had a particular focus on supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprovoked invasion. Just days ago, we were at the Nato summit together, pushing toward this goal. On Friday, Senators Graham, Blumenthal, Wicker and I announced White House support for our Russia sanctions legislation to help finally achieve peace for Ukraine, which Lindsey described as one of his most consequential efforts. There can be no more fitting memorial to Lindsey, his legacy or the causes he fought for than to pass this legislation and realize his long-held dream of an independent and secure Ukraine.
GOP representative Michael McCaul echoed others calling Graham a “giant” in the Senate, and called for Congress to approve sanctions on Russia in his honor.
This is a loss not only for his family and friends like me, but for the entire nation. We shared a similar world view that America is strongest at home when we are strong abroad. We worked together on many foreign policy issues, including the Russian sanctions bill. I am introducing the House version of that bill this week, and Congress should pass it in his honor. Above all, Lindsey was a friend and I will miss him very much.
Wyoming Republican John Barrasso said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of his “dear friend”. He wrote on X:
My prayers are with his family and all who loved him.
Lindsey represented South Carolina and America with pride and determination. He guided the Senate through our toughest battles while Chairman of both the Judiciary Committee and the Budget Committee. He carried the day with his mission clarity and steadfast leadership.
All of us in the Senate will miss his quick wit and infectious laughter. The Senate will never again see anyone quite like Senator Lindsey Graham.
Republican senator Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, called Lindsey Graham “an American original”.
A truly self-made man, he lost his parents at an early age and cared for his younger sister. That same sense of responsibility and duty took him into the Air Force and the Congress. Lindsey was a great champion for our military, our troops, and our national security. A lover of liberty and a true patriot, Lindsey never stopped working on behalf of South Carolina and America. His premature death is a tragedy for all those who knew him. Anna and I join all Arkansans in extending our deepest condolences to Lindsey’s family and friends.
GOP senator Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, wrote on X:
Lindsey and I came into the Senate at the same time over two decades ago. Throughout that time he has been my friend and a true leader for our country. It is hard to convey the loss that I feel knowing that we will no longer have his leadership in the Senate. Verne and I send our prayers to his family and all those who knew and loved him.
