Key facts
- Senator Lindsey Graham died Saturday at age 71 after a brief illness.
- Graham was known for his ability to negotiate bipartisan deals.
- He evolved from a critic of Donald Trump to one of his staunchest allies.
- Graham played a significant role in resolving legislative standoffs, including the Department of Homeland Security funding.
- He was a consistent advocate for foreign policy initiatives, including support for Ukraine and NATO.
Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent Republican dealmaker and staunch ally of Donald Trump, died Saturday at the age of 71 following a brief illness. Throughout his 23 years in the Senate representing South Carolina, Graham cultivated a reputation for navigating critical negotiations, often working across the aisle despite his strong partisan identity.
Graham's political trajectory included a notable shift from being a vocal critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 election to becoming one of his most prominent defenders. This evolution was highlighted in his role during legislative standoffs, such as the one that led to the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history, where he helped rally Republican support for a measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
Beyond domestic policy, Graham was a consistent foreign policy hawk, advocating for strong defense initiatives and supporting allies like Ukraine. He was a proponent of NATO and supported sanctions against Russia. His bipartisan efforts extended to areas like immigration reform and addressing gun violence, though not all attempts were successful.
Colleagues from both parties acknowledged his complex political persona. Dick Durbin, the Senate's number two Democrat, called Graham an "indispensable player" who could be a "fierce Republican partisan one day and a key bipartisan ally the next." Stephen Miller, a White House deputy chief of staff, noted Graham's skill in uniting colleagues. Democratic Senator Chris Coons remembered Graham as a "complicated" partner with whom he passed significant legislation.
Graham remained active in dealmaking until his final days, participating in a bipartisan group of senators who announced a deal on a bill to punish countries buying oil from Russia just before his death. He had also recently visited Ukraine and briefed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on legislative progress.