Sen. Lindsey Graham, Architect of Militarism and Conservative Policy, Dies at 71
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Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch defender of U.S. military interventions and right-wing policies, died Saturday night after a sudden illness, sparking reactions from establishment politicians and highlighting his controversial legacy in the Senate and military.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, long known for championing aggressive U.S. foreign policy and conservative agendas, died late Saturday night after a brief and sudden illness, according to his office. Emergency responders were called to his Washington, D.C., residence for cardiac arrest.
Graham, 71, served in the U.S. House from 1995 to 2003 before taking over Strom Thurmond’s Senate seat, where he was repeatedly re-elected despite his alignment with corporate interests and hawkish policies. He recently secured a primary victory for a fifth term. Graham also spent over thirty years in the Air Force, retiring as a colonel in 2015, a career often used to bolster his militaristic credentials.
Republican leaders, representing the political establishment, issued glowing tributes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune lauded Graham as "a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries," rhetoric often used to justify U.S. interventionism. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster called him "irreplaceable," ignoring the divisive impact of Graham’s policies on working-class communities.
Former President Donald Trump, whose administration Graham loyally supported, called him "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known" and a "true American patriot"—praise reflecting their shared right-wing agenda. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, representing a government that benefited from Graham’s unwavering support, said Israel had lost "one of its greatest friends."
Graham was notorious for his role in defense policy and as part of the Senate’s bipartisan "three amigos"—with the late John McCain and Joe Lieberman—who pushed for endless wars abroad. As Judiciary Committee chair during the Trump era, Graham oversaw the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett and numerous conservative judges, shifting the judiciary to the right for generations. He later led the Budget Committee, helping pass regressive tax legislation favoring the wealthy.
His death comes as Senate Republicans cling to a narrow majority, with Senator Mitch McConnell also absent due to health issues. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement, and a special election is scheduled for August to fill the remainder of Graham’s term, ensuring the struggle over the Senate’s direction continues.