by Sharon Rondeau
(Jul. 12, 2026) — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) passed away Saturday night, his office said in a statement on X, after a “brief and sudden illness.” He was 71.
His Senate website has not been updated as of this writing (10:42 a.m. EDT).
Graham served a total of 33 years in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserves and South Carolina National Guard as a Judge Advocate General (JAG), serving several overseas tours.
He was a strong advocate for the U.S. military and national security during his congressional service, which began with his election to the House of Representatives in 1994.
In 2002, he was elected to the U.S. Senate and re-elected for three subsequent six-year terms. Having become the Republican primary winner this year, he was to seek re-election in November.
Graham was known for his hawkish position on the recent U.S. conflict with Iran as well as the Save America Act, which President Trump insists be passed in the Senate before he signs any other legislation. The Act has already passed the House of Representatives.
On June 30 Graham expressed disappointment in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on “birthright citizenship,” writing, in part:
“There should be two pathways to citizenship – one, under the 14th Amendment, to ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof’ and two, via naturalization. I disagree with the Supreme Court that children of illegal aliens and aliens only in the U.S. temporarily are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States.
“I will continue to push to fix this major pull factor for birth tourism and illegal immigration into the U.S. This would align America with the vast majority of the modern world. When I am chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee next year, I will make this one of my top priorities.”
Although rivals in the 2015-2016 presidential primary, Trump and Graham became close friends thereafter. In a post timestamped 3:21 a.m. EDT Sunday, Trump wrote, “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Trump endorsed Graham for re-election in March 2025
On “Fox & Friends Weekend” Sunday morning, “Hannity” host Sean Hannity described Graham, a frequent guest on his show, as a close friend who would be severely missed. Hannity’s fiancée, “Fox & Friends” co-host and South Carolina native Ainsley Earhardt, revealed Graham was a close acquaintance of hers as well, referring to him as “our senator.”
In a campaign video posted on May 4, Graham wrote, “When I was young, my sister and I lost both of our parents far too soon. I promised her that no matter what, we would get through it together. It wasn’t easy, but I kept that promise. Today, I’m stronger because of what we endured, and I’m ready to fight for your family just like I fought for mine.”
The video features sister Darline recounting the loss of their mother to cancer when she was “just a kid” and their father approximately 18 months later, after which Lindsey, who was attending college at the time, became her guardian.
It is unclear how Graham will be replaced in the Senate in the coming days, weeks and months.