WASHINGTON — Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died unexpectedly at age 71 after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness, was remembered on Monday by U.S. and international leaders as a leading advocate of an assertive American foreign policy, with tributes highlighting his decades-long support for military alliances, sanctions against U.S. adversaries and security partnerships.
Preliminary findings from the District of Columbia medical examiner indicated Graham died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a statement released by his office. Officials said the findings remain preliminary pending completion of additional examinations.
Graham, a South Carolina Republican first elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, built a reputation as one of Congress's most prominent foreign policy hawks. He consistently advocated robust U.S. military engagement abroad, strong support for NATO, sanctions against Russia and Iran, and sustained military assistance for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion.
President Donald Trump, a close political ally despite years of earlier public disagreements, described Graham as "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known" and praised his service to the country. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also honored Graham's decades of public service and ordered flags lowered in the state.
Foreign leaders also paid tribute. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Graham a steadfast supporter of Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among those recognizing his longstanding commitment to transatlantic security and U.S. alliances.
Throughout his Senate career, Graham served on influential committees including Judiciary, Foreign Relations, Appropriations and Budget. He was closely associated with fellow Republican Senator John McCain in advocating an interventionist U.S. foreign policy and frequently argued that American leadership abroad strengthened national security.
Although widely known for his national security positions, Graham also played significant roles in judicial confirmation battles, immigration negotiations and budget debates. His political career included a highly publicized shift from outspoken critic of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign to one of the president's closest congressional allies in subsequent years.
Graham had recently returned from a visit to Ukraine and had been scheduled to appear on national television before his death. His passing leaves a vacancy in the Senate and reduces Republicans' working majority as Congress returns to Washington to consider defense legislation, sanctions on Russia and other major priorities.
