Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 after what his office described as a "brief and sudden illness."
The announcement was made early Sunday in a statement posted on the senator's official X account.
"On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness," the statement read. His office did not disclose the cause of death but said the family had requested privacy.
Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003 and was one of the Republican Party's most prominent voices on foreign policy and national security. He was widely known for his strong support for Israel and his hawkish positions on international conflicts.
Throughout his political career, Graham consistently advocated a robust U.S. military role in global affairs and backed policies aimed at strengthening U.S.-Israel relations. His views earned praise from supporters who saw him as a steadfast defender of American allies, while critics argued that he too often supported military intervention.
In recent years, Graham became a close ally of President Donald Trump and remained an influential figure within the Republican Party. At the time of his death, he was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was seeking another term in office.
Tributes from political leaders are expected as the United States mourns the passing of one of its longest-serving and most influential senators.
