WASHINGTON, (WOWO): U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime South Carolina Republican and close ally of President Donald Trump, died Saturday night after suffering a tear in his aorta, according to a preliminary finding from the District of Columbia medical examiner.
Graham’s office initially said the senator died after a “brief and sudden illness.” The medical examiner’s preliminary report says the cause was an aortic dissection, a tear in the inner wall of the body’s largest artery, linked to hardening of the arteries. A final cause of death will be released after additional testing.
Graham was 71 years old and had just returned from a trip to Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump said Graham called him Saturday night after the trip and “sounded a little bit tired, but perfect.”
Trump described Graham as “like a member of the family” and ordered flags across the country to be flown at half-staff through next Saturday evening.
Graham served more than three decades in Congress, first in the U.S. House before being elected to the Senate in 2002. He became one of Washington’s most prominent voices on foreign policy and national security.
The senator was known for supporting a strong U.S. military presence overseas and advised Trump on issues including Iran and Russia. Just days before his death, Graham announced an agreement with the Trump administration to advance a new package of sanctions targeting Russia.
Graham’s political relationship with Trump evolved over the years. The two were once rivals during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, with Graham criticizing Trump’s candidacy. After Trump won the White House, Graham became one of his closest allies in Congress.
He was a vocal defender of Trump during both impeachment trials and remained a key figure in the Republican Party during Trump’s second term.
Beyond foreign policy, Graham also played a major role in the Senate Judiciary Committee and helped oversee the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in 2020. He later became chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
Lawmakers from both parties remembered Graham as someone who could build relationships across the aisle despite political disagreements.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint a temporary replacement for Graham. A special election will be held to determine who will serve the remainder of Graham’s term.
Graham had been seeking a fifth full term in the Senate. He is survived by his sister, Darline. He was not married and did not have children.
