Sen. Tim Scott defends Darline Graham's national security knowledge amid runoff campaign
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Sen. Tim Scott said South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham is prepared for Senate duties despite her own admission of limited national-security expertise, as she faces a primary runoff.
South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham, appointed after her brother Lindsey Graham's death, faced criticism during a Tuesday debate when she said she was "not that informed on national security" and that "national security is not my thing." The comment came as she prepares for a Republican primary runoff against Rep. Ralph Norman.
Sen. Tim Scott responded to questions about Graham's qualifications on NBC's Meet the Press, asserting that she is ready to serve and to address current issues, though he offered no specific examples of her national-security experience.
Graham's background includes several public-policy positions in the state, but she had not previously run for or held elected office before her Senate appointment.
President Donald Trump, who endorsed Graham and campaigned in the state, described her remarks as "very honest" when asked about them.