Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at 71 after brief illness
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
WASHINGTON (KBSI) — U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., 71, died Saturday after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness.
In a statement released Sunday, Graham’s office said he died Saturday night and asked for privacy on behalf of his family during the difficult time.
Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003 after serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Before entering Congress, he served in the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserve, retiring as a colonel after a 33-year military career.
He served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was a longtime member of the Senate Judiciary and Armed Services committees, becoming one of the Senate’s most influential voices on national security, foreign policy and judicial nominations.
Trump marked the senator’s passing in a Truth Social post, stating:
Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!President DONALD J. TRUMP
Vice President JD Vance said Graham’s rise “from humble beginnings” to one of the nation’s most influential lawmakers was “a fundamentally American” story. Vance said the two often disagreed but praised Graham’s dedication to the country, saying he “fought like hell for the things he believed in.”
Lindsey Graham came from humble beginnings and became one of the most powerful lawmakers in the most powerful nation on Earth. His story was a fundamentally American one.
Early in my Senate tenure, I remember getting into a shouting match with Lindsey about a Ukraine funding…
— JD Vance (@JDVance) July 12, 2026
Senate Majority Leader John Thune remembered Graham as a “trusted adviser and colleague,” saying his influence “will be felt for generations.” Tributes also came from current and former lawmakers across both parties.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a temporary replacement to fill Graham’s Senate seat until a special election is held under state law.
