US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has passed away. The communications director for his office confirmed on the social media platform X that he died yesterday, Saturday evening, after suddenly falling ill.
The 71-year-old Republican leader was serving as a senator representing the state of South Carolina. Early in his political career, he was known as a fierce critic of US President Donald Trump. However, he later became one of Trump’s closest allies and one of his most trusted associates on Capitol Hill.
In a statement released early Sunday morning, Graham’s office said, “Senator Graham’s family has asked for prayers at this time. They have also requested that their privacy be respected during this extremely difficult period.”
Graham was first elected to the US Senate in 2002. Prior to that, he was elected to the US House of Representatives from South Carolina’s Third Congressional District in 1994, according to his website.
Graham was known for his hawkish stance on defense issues. His website states that he consistently advocated for measures and policies to safeguard US long-term national security interests in the war on terror.
He had recently been serving as the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. Additionally, he was a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Environment and Public Works Committee.
Graham was unmarried and resided in the city of Seneca, South Carolina.
