US Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and close ally of President Donald Trump, died Saturday at 71 following a brief and sudden illness, his office said. He was a longtime senator. In fact, he spent more than three decades in Congress and shaped debates on foreign policy, Israel, Iran, immigration, and the judiciary.

Thekabarnews.com—Lindsey Graham, the veteran Republican US senator from South Carolina and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, died Saturday evening, July 11. He was seventy-one years old.

Graham’s office announced his death early Sunday, saying he had died from a “brief and sudden illness.” No specific diagnosis or details about the circumstances were provided. The statement did not provide any specific diagnosis or details about the circumstances it described.

“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” his office said, as quoted by CNN.

Trump paid tribute to Graham in a social media post, calling him a patriot “working tirelessly for the United States.” Senate Majority Leader John Thune also recalled his longtime colleague, The Associated Press reports.

Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate for more than 23 years. He was first elected by voters in 2002. He was re-elected in 2008, 2014, and 2020. Now, he was seeking a fifth six-year term in the November 2026 elections.

Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. He then moved to the Senate. Moreover, he was the first Republican to serve as the representative of South Carolina’s Third Congressional District since 1877.

Graham was also a lawyer in the US Air Force. He served more than six years of active duty. He went on to serve in the Air Force Reserve, according to the official Senate biography.

His congressional career featured influential roles on the Senate Judiciary, Armed Services, and Budget committees. He also was a member of the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” that authored a major immigration reform bill in 2013.

Graham was a steadfast proponent of a muscular American role overseas. He stood up for Ukraine against Russia. Additionally, he called for continued military aid for Israel and urged successive administrations to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Graham’s Senate office said he lauded Trump’s 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and that Washington should continue backing Israel.

Graham’s strategy sparked a heated debate, especially when considering Israel’s war in Gaza. The Associated Press quoted him denying allegations that Israel was committing genocide. In fact, he also opposed Senate efforts to block weapons transfers over Palestinian civilian deaths.

His supporters hailed him as a staunch defender of US allies. Human rights activists and pro-Palestinian campaigners condemned his rhetoric, saying it played down civilian casualties and encouraged further military escalation.

Graham was a critic of Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential campaign. Later, he became one of his most visible allies in the Senate. His marriage placed Graham in the middle of Republican politics, judicial confirmation battles, and key foreign policy debates.

His death creates a vacancy in the South Carolina Senate seat with the country heading into the November midterm elections. Therefore, state officials now have to figure out what to do about interim representation. They also must address the Republican nomination Graham used to hold.