TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the most influential figures in US foreign policy and a close ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the age of 71 following a sudden illness, according to his office. Preliminary findings from the Washington, D.C., medical examiner indicated that he died from complications of an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
As reported by CNN, Graham died shortly after returning from Ukraine, where he had met President Volodymyr Zelensky during one of his many wartime visits to Kyiv. Emergency responders were called to his Washington residence after reports of chest pains. His office later confirmed the preliminary medical findings, describing his death as the result of a "brief and sudden illness."
Trump said he had spoken with Graham only hours before his death, recalling that the senator sounded tired after the long trip but otherwise appeared well.
"What a terrible loss it is," Trump said, describing Graham as "a great politician" and "a natural."
First elected to the US Senate in 2002 after serving four terms in the House of Representatives, Graham became one of the Republican Party's most recognizable voices on national security and foreign affairs. Throughout more than two decades in the Senate, he consistently advocated for robust US military engagement abroad, championing support for Israel and Ukraine while backing interventions in Iraq and taking a hardline stance against Iran.
His political career also reflected the transformation of the Republican Party. Graham was once among Donald Trump's harshest Republican critics during the 2016 presidential campaign, warning that nominating Trump would damage the party. He later became one of Trump's closest allies on Capitol Hill, helping advance key legislative priorities and frequently defending the president.
Despite their close alliance, Graham occasionally broke ranks. Following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, he acknowledged Joe Biden's election victory and declared on the Senate floor, "Enough is enough." The two later reconciled, and Graham became one of Trump's most trusted supporters during his second term.
According to the BBC, Graham remained a steadfast advocate of Trump's agenda after backing his 2024 presidential bid, citing Trump's immigration policies, judicial appointments, and national security record as reasons for his support. In a 2023 interview, Graham acknowledged Trump's controversies but said he stood behind the president because of his accomplishments in office.
Beyond domestic politics, Graham built a reputation as one of Washington's leading foreign policy hawks. He repeatedly visited Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion, making his 10th trip shortly before his death, while consistently urging continued US military assistance and stronger sanctions against Russia.
He also remained one of Israel's strongest supporters in Congress, advocating billions of dollars in security assistance and maintaining close ties with Israeli leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had lost "one of its greatest friends," praising Graham's unwavering belief that the security of Israel and the United States was inseparable.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also paid tribute, saying Graham had been "a true defender of freedom" whose support for Ukraine would not be forgotten.
Throughout his Senate career, Graham chaired both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Budget Committee. He played a key role in advancing judicial nominations, including the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, while also helping shape major Republican budget legislation.
Earlier in his career, Graham was known for bipartisan cooperation, particularly through his close friendship with the late Senator John McCain. Together, they championed immigration reform and national security legislation, while Graham also supported measures such as the DREAM Act to provide legal pathways for undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.
Before entering Congress, Graham served in the US Air Force as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. His early adulthood was marked by personal tragedy after losing both parents while attending university. He subsequently helped raise and later legally adopted his younger sister. Graham never married and had no children.
His death leaves a vacancy in the Senate at a politically significant moment. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a temporary replacement until voters elect a successor. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the Senate, making the upcoming special election increasingly important ahead of the November midterm elections.
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