Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a prominent Republican and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, died unexpectedly on Saturday night at age 71. The District of Columbia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released preliminary findings on Sunday, confirming that Graham suffered an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The death certificate remains pending as toxicological and microscopic testing is completed.
Graham's office initially announced his death, stating he had passed away after a 'brief and sudden illness.' Emergency personnel responded to a call for cardiac arrest at his Capitol Hill home, according to police scanner audio obtained by NBC News. He had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Tributes poured in from world leaders and colleagues. President Trump described Graham as 'one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known' and ordered all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff until Saturday evening at 6 p.m. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called Graham a 'true champion of freedom,' while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the loss of 'one of Israel's greatest friends.'
Graham, who served in the Senate since 2003, was a key figure in foreign policy, defense, and judicial nominations. His death leaves a vacancy that extends beyond a single Senate seat, raising questions about who might fill his role and the impact on Republican policy efforts. The Senate will return on Monday for tributes and remembrance, with traditional mourning practices, including draping his desk in black crepe bunting and lowering flags.
Graham's legacy includes his hawkish policies on Ukraine and Iran, as well as his bipartisan charm. He was a close ally of Trump, despite initially being a vocal critic during the 2016 presidential election. His death complicates several GOP goals in Congress, including the SAVE America Act and the confirmation of Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche.