Sen. Lindsey Graham, the longtime South Carolina Republican and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, has died at the age of 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.”
Graham died Saturday night, according to a statement released by his office early Sunday.
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said.
Emergency responders were dispatched to Graham’s Capitol Hill residence Saturday evening after receiving a call reporting cardiac arrest, according to police scanner audio obtained by NBC News. Emergency medical personnel performed CPR before transporting him from his home by ambulance.
A senior Graham aide told NBC News there had been no indication the senator was feeling unwell before his death. Graham had been scheduled to appear Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he had been a frequent guest throughout his Senate career.
President Donald Trump led tributes to the South Carolina lawmaker, calling Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known” and describing him as “a true American Patriot” in a post on Truth Social.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Graham as “a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe,” while South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called him “the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America.”
Under South Carolina law, McMaster will appoint an interim replacement to serve until Jan. 3. Republicans will also need to nominate a new candidate for Graham’s Senate seat after he secured the GOP nomination for a fifth term just last month. State election law calls for a special primary to be held before the November general election.
Graham had recently returned from Ukraine, where he met Friday with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader called Graham “a true defender of freedom” and said the senator had worked on initiatives aimed at strengthening sanctions against Russia and advancing peace efforts.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also honored Graham, calling him “a powerful advocate for America” and a strong supporter of the alliance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Graham as “one of Israel’s greatest friends,” while Iran’s state media noted his longstanding support for a hardline U.S. policy toward Tehran.
Born in Central, South Carolina, Graham became the first member of his family to attend college before earning a law degree from the University of South Carolina. He served for 33 years in the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve and South Carolina Air National Guard, retiring in 2015 with the rank of colonel, per NBC News.
Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 before winning election to the Senate in 2002, succeeding retiring Sen. Strom Thurmond.
Throughout his Senate career, Graham became one of Congress’ most influential voices on national security and foreign policy. Alongside the late Sens. John McCain and Joe Lieberman, he earned recognition as one of the Senate’s “Three Amigos” for advocating an assertive U.S. role overseas.
Although Graham was an outspoken critic of Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, the two later developed a close political alliance. Graham frequently advised the president on issues ranging from judicial nominations to foreign policy and described himself earlier this year as Trump’s “North Star.”
At the time of his death, Graham was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee after previously leading the Senate Judiciary Committee. His passing leaves a vacancy in both the Senate and the Republican Party’s 2026 election plans in South Carolina.
