US Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican representing South Carolina, has died at the age of 71. His office announced early on Sunday that the lawmaker passed away following a brief and sudden illness.

Reports from U.S. media indicated that emergency personnel had responded to a call for cardiac arrest at Senator Graham’s Capitol Hill residence on Saturday night. The specific details surrounding the illness were not immediately disclosed by his office.

Senator Graham, a prominent figure in the Republican party, had transitioned from being a vocal critic of Donald Trump to becoming one of his most steadfast allies. Following the announcement of his death, former President Trump issued a statement, referring to Graham as “one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known” and describing him as a hard-working patriot.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed his condolences, stating he was “deeply saddened” by the news. Zelensky characterized Senator Graham as “a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.”

Prior to his death, Senator Graham had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine. He had been scheduled to appear on the “Meet the Press” interview program on Sunday morning, according to reports.

Throughout his career, Senator Graham was known as a defense hawk. His official website stated that he consistently pushed for outcomes in the War on Terror that protect our long-term national security interests. He was also identified as a prominent supporter of both Israel and Ukraine, and an opponent of Iran, according to information available on his website.