Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death elicits bipartisan outpouring of condolences

The sudden loss of life of Sen. Lindsey Graham prompted condolences from President Donald Trump, world leaders, and a bipartisan checklist of the influential veteran South Carolina lawmaker’s congressional colleagues.

Graham died from a “temporary and sudden sickness” on Saturday night time at 71 years outdated, in accordance with an announcement launched by his workplace.

“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of many best individuals and Senators I’ve ever identified, is lifeless!” Trump stated on social media on Sunday morning. “He was at all times working, and was a real American Patriot. Lindsey shall be tremendously missed!!!”

The flags above the White Home, in addition to on the White Home North Garden flagpole, had been lowered to half-staff in honor of Graham, who was a staunch ally of President Trump. He later introduced on his social media platform that he’s ordering “all American flags” all through the nation to be lowered to half-staff till Saturday, July 18 at 6 p.m.

“Jill and I are shocked by the sudden passing of Lindsey Graham,” former President Joe Biden stated in an announcement Sunday.

“Lindsey and I served collectively in Congress for over a decade, and labored intently on many points all through the years. We traveled the world collectively as members of the Senate International Relations committee. We disagreed usually, and typically loudly,” Biden wrote. “Lindsey and I did agree on the profound significance of public service. Like me, he liked the Senate as an establishment, even with all its flaws and complexities.”

“To his household, his workers, his constituents in South Carolina, and everybody who liked him: Jill and I are protecting you in our prayers,” Biden’s assertion concluded.

Vice President JD Vance, who served within the Senate with Graham from 2023 to 2025, described Graham as a “one-of-a-kind determine in our politics,” whereas additionally acknowledging their “disagreements.” 

“Lindsey Graham got here from humble beginnings and have become one of the highly effective lawmakers in essentially the most highly effective nation on Earth. His story was a essentially American one,” Vance stated.

Vance recalled stepping into heated disagreements with Graham, however stated, “I could not assist however like him.”

“He fought like hell for the issues he believed in, and he was simply as keen to go to bat for you when it counted,” Vance stated.

Graham’s loss of life got here after he returned dwelling from his tenth go to to Ukraine, the place he met on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Graham and a bipartisan group of senators introduced on Friday a cope with the White Home on a Russian sanctions invoice that Graham had lengthy championed.

In an announcement on social media Sunday, Zelenskyy stated he was “deeply saddened” by the information of Graham’s loss of life and praised the senator as “a real defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.”

“He visited Ukraine ten instances through the years of Russia’s full-scale invasion and was right here with our individuals when it was most wanted,” Zelenskyy stated. “We remained in fixed dialogue, and I’ll miss our conversations. We met twice in simply the previous week.”

Zelenskyy stated Graham had been engaged on “necessary initiatives that would assist convey peace nearer.”

“America and the world have misplaced a decided chief,” Zelenskyy stated.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster stated he and his household had been “devastated” by Graham’s passing.

“The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast buddy. … We will not see his likes once more,” McMaster stated in a publish on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to as Graham a “beloved buddy” and stated “America has misplaced an incredible patriot” along with his passing.

Graham was a powerful advocate of the Trump administration’s help of Israel throughout its conflict in opposition to Hamas in Gaza and likewise supported President Trump on the conflict in Iran.

South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott grew to become emotional when reminiscing about Graham on ABC’s “This Week,” telling co-anchor Martha Raddatz, “Lindsey Graham was irreplaceable.”

“I’ll at all times keep in mind Lindsey Graham as a man who was, as quickly as I used to be appointed to the Senate, he embraced my candidacy for re-election. He was there on the marketing campaign path with me,” stated Scott, who served with Graham for 13 years within the Senate. “To my household, he grew to become a buddy. He was one among solely three or 4 senators I invited to my wedding ceremony as a result of Lindsey Graham had turn into part of the household. And it’s a uncommon factor in politics, a uncommon factor in life, to seek out people who find themselves really your buddy.”

Rep. Jim Clyburn, a longtime Democratic consultant from South Carolina, additionally expressed condolences to Graham’s household, writing in a social media publish that he and Graham “maintained a relationship grounded in mutual respect, even when our political variations had been vital.”

“His dedication to public service and the individuals he represented will stay an everlasting a part of his legacy,” Clyburn stated.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., recalled Graham as “a person who liked his work, his nation, and his household. “

“Lindsey had a zest for all times and the Senate that made you need to get to work on a invoice with him or not less than debate him. He introduced pleasure to his job,” Klobuchar stated.

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-In poor health., stated in an announcement that he was simply with Graham finally week’s NATO summit in Turkey.

“At a non-public dinner on the Ambassador’s residence, he was working each senator on a technique to finish the conflict in Ukraine. Typical Lindsey,” Durbin stated. “Lindsey was a part of each necessary coverage difficulty and an indispensable participant in each Senate ‘gang.’ He was a fierce Republican partisan at some point and a key bipartisan ally the following.”

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., stated in a social media assertion that he was “heartbroken” to listen to of Graham’s loss of life.

“Lindsey and I disagreed on loads over time, however I by no means doubted his love for this nation or his dedication to serving it. He was a fierce advocate for the causes he believed in, particularly our nation’s safety and the women and men of our armed forces,” Warner stated in an announcement

Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., stated in an announcement that Graham “believed and advocated tirelessly for American energy and exceptionalism.”

“He served his nation all through his life – from the U.S. Air Drive, to the S.C. Home, to the U.S. Home, to the U.S. Senate,” Johnson stated.