According to a statement released by his office, Graham passed away on Saturday night following a brief and sudden illness. His family thanked the public for their prayers and requested privacy during this difficult time.
President Donald Trump paid tribute to Graham, describing him as "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known" and "a true American patriot."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune also honored Graham, calling him a steadfast advocate for the United States and freedom-loving nations around the world.
Graham was first elected to the US Senate from South Carolina in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008, 2014 and 2020. Before joining the Senate, he served in the US House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.
During his Senate career, Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee and served on several key committees, including the Judiciary Committee, the Appropriations Committee, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Known for his hawkish foreign policy views, Graham strongly supported the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, consistently advocated a hardline approach toward Iran, and remained one of the strongest supporters of Israel in Congress.
Israel s Ministry of Defense also expressed condolences over his death, saying Graham stood with Israel during its most difficult times.
Although Graham initially criticized Donald Trump and briefly ran against him for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, he later became one of Trump s closest allies in Congress.
🇺🇸🇺🇦 Possibly the last footage of Senator Lindsey Graham speaking before his death was after his Kyiv meeting with Zelensky on Friday:
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 12, 2026
"We ve reached an agreement with the White House on a version of the Russian sanction bill that they will support.
When I get back to… https://t.co/YENy3PnQk1
Before entering politics, Graham served as a military lawyer in the US Air Force and later in the Air Force Reserve. He retired in 2015 with the rank of Colonel.
According to media reports, emergency responders were dispatched to his Capitol Hill residence after receiving a cardiac arrest call on Saturday night, but he could not be revived.
Under South Carolina law, the state s governor will appoint an interim senator to fill Graham s seat until January next year, while the Republican Party selects a replacement candidate for the upcoming election.
