Washington: US Senator Lindsey Graham, a long-serving Republican representative from South Carolina, has passed away at the age of 71. According to an official statement released by his office, the Senator died on the evening of Saturday, 11 July 2026 (local time), following a "brief and sudden illness."

The news of his passing was confirmed early Sunday morning, with his office requesting privacy for his family during this period. No further details regarding the nature of his illness have been disclosed at this time.

A Career in Public Service

Senator Graham’s tenure in Washington spanned over three decades. He first entered federal politics in 1994, when he was elected to the US House of Representatives. In 2003, he transitioned to the US Senate, where he represented South Carolina for four terms.

Before his parliamentary career, Graham served in the U.S. Air Force as a military lawyer and later served in both the South Carolina Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, eventually retiring with the rank of colonel. His professional background in law and the military heavily influenced his identity as a "defence hawk," with a consistent focus on national security and foreign policy throughout his career.

Political Legacy

During his time in the Senate, Graham became a pivotal figure within the Republican Party. While he was initially a critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, he later transitioned into becoming one of the President's most prominent allies and defenders on Capitol Hill.

Graham was widely recognised for his interventionist foreign policy stances. He was a frequent advocate for assertive US engagement overseas, maintaining strong support for Israel and Ukraine while consistently calling for a firm stance against Iran, Russia, and China.

The Senator was a close political ally and friend of the late Senator John McCain. Together, they frequently travelled abroad to promote their shared vision of an assertive American foreign policy.

Flags at the US Capitol are expected to be flown at half-mast to mark the passing of the senior legislator.