Republican senator and foreign policy hawk dies aged 71
Washington: World leaders are mourning the death of Republican senator Lindsey Graham, a giant of American politics known for his sense of humor, staunch commitment to the Israeli alliance and friendships across the political aisle.
US President Donald Trump revealed on Saturday night (US time) that he spoke to Graham in the hours before his death – possibly as little as 30 minutes – and that the senator showed no signs of health problems other than fatigue after returning from a trip to Ukraine that day.
‘This could have been his last call,’ Trump told NBC Meet the Press. “He was like a member of the family to me, it was actually very difficult… I thought he would live forever, but it didn’t work out that way.”
The 71-year-old South Carolina native had been a politician for more than 30 years. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1994 and successfully moved to the Senate in 2002.
Graham was one of Washington’s most outspoken war hawks and foreign policy interventionists; He was known as the last surviving member of the so-called “Three Amigos” group, along with Republican John McCain and Democratic independent Joe Lieberman.
He was also one of the most pro-Israel members of Congress and a key cheerleader for the attacks that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched against Iran in late February.
Netanyahu is also on stage Meet the PressHe said he was in a state of shock following Graham’s sudden death.
“He was so full of energy and dedication that it is difficult to accept the fact that he is no longer there,” the Israeli prime minister said.
“America has lost a great patriot, Israel has lost one of the greatest advocates of the American-Israeli alliance, and frankly I have lost a dear friend… There is no one like him.”
Netanyahu said that Israel was mourning and Iran was celebrating. “Lindsey never confused good with evil. She knew exactly where the Iranian regime was and thought it was a great danger.”
Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also praised Graham as one of Israel’s greatest friends who stands with the Jewish state “not because it is easy, but because he believes it is right.”
In a statement made by his office, it was stated that Graham died on Saturday night (US time) after a short and sudden illness.
Paramedics were called to his home in Washington for a man suffering from chest pain. The audio then showed responders performing CPR for what was believed to be a heart attack.
Given his importance and recent return from abroad, there was considerable conjecture in the United States that Graham may have been poisoned or otherwise targeted by Russia or Iran. The speculation was amplified by pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who has 2 million followers on X.
Just days before his death, Graham shared on social media a clip of the funeral in Tehran of Iran’s assassinated religious leader Ali Khamenei, where Iranians held photos of American officials, including Graham, wearing red targets.
“At least they used a nice photo of me,” Graham wrote. “Judge me by my enemies.”
FBI director Kash Patel said his agency was assisting local authorities but gave no indication of a suspected homicide. The FBI did not immediately respond to other questions.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who has established good relations with Trump, praised Graham as a personal friend and supporter of Ukraine, NATO and the transatlantic alliance.
“Not a week went by without an exchange of ideas,” he said. “Thank you for everything you did to keep the United States and Europe intact. You will be missed by many of us.”
Former President Joe Biden, who served with Graham in the Senate, said that although they often disagreed vociferously, they had a common understanding of the importance of public service.
“Like me, he loved the Senate as an institution, with all its flaws and complexities,” he said.
Biden’s son Hunter recalled a 2015 documentary in which an emotional Graham called Joe Biden “the best person I’ve ever met in politics” and “as good a man as God ever created.”
Vice President J.D. Vance, who had more isolationist foreign policy views and was skeptical of war against Iran, said that despite their differences on some issues, “I couldn’t help but like him.”
Vance said Graham rose from humble beginnings to become “one of the most powerful legislators in the most powerful nation in the world.” “His story was fundamentally the American story… Lindsey had the best sense of humor in the Senate. He’s a one-of-a-kind figure in our politics.”
Like Vance, Graham was a staunch opponent of Trump before turning into a full-fledged supporter. Graham objected to the Republican presidential nomination in 2015, then left and supported Trump.
Take notes directly from our foreign country reporters about things that make headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What’s on in the World Newsletter.
Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political correspondent in Canberra.Connect with: X or email.
