By SCN News Desk
WASHINGTON, July 12 — Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump's closest allies in Congress and a leading voice on U.S. foreign policy, has died at the age of 71 after what his office described as a "brief and sudden illness."A statement issued by Graham's office said he passed away on Saturday evening. His family requested privacy and thanked supporters for their prayers. No official cause of death has been released.
President Donald Trump paid tribute to Graham, describing him as "like a member of the family" and saying the senator had called him shortly after returning from a trip to Ukraine. Trump said Graham sounded "a little bit tired" but otherwise appeared fine, making the news all the more unexpected.
Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003 after previously serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Over three decades in Congress, he became one of the Republican Party's most influential lawmakers on defense, national security and judicial appointments. Although he criticized Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential campaign, Graham later became one of the president's most trusted allies and advisers on foreign policy.
He was known internationally for his strong support for Ukraine, Israel and a hawkish U.S. foreign policy. Just days before his death, Graham met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a visit to Kyiv.
Following his death, tributes poured in from political leaders across the United States and abroad. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster is expected to appoint an interim replacement until a special election is held to fill the Senate seat.