Veteran South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” Graham passed away on Saturday night, just a day after returning from an official trip to Ukraine, where he had met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and worked on discussions related to fresh sanctions against Russia.In a statement, Graham’s office said, “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Emergency responders rushed to his Washington home
According to The Independent, emergency personnel responded to reports of a cardiac arrest at Graham’s Washington, D.C., residence on Saturday night.TMZ reported that emergency medical workers were called to the senator’s home following a medical emergency. Exclusive photographs published by the outlet reportedly showed Graham being wheeled out of his residence on a stretcher while paramedics administered emergency treatment. The outlet further claimed he appeared to be intubated before being transported in an ambulance.
Preliminary report cites cardiovascular disease
While Graham’s office initially only stated that he had died following a “brief and sudden illness,” a preliminary report later indicated that the cause of death was arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.The report noted that the official death certificate would remain pending until toxicological and microscopic testing is completed.Audio obtained by CNN and other media outlets reportedly indicated that emergency medical services had responded to a cardiac arrest call at Graham’s home on Saturday evening.
FBI assisting local authorities
Following Graham’s death, the FBI confirmed it is assisting local authorities.FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement that the agency “is assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available.”Authorities have not clarified why the FBI is involved, and there has been no indication that Graham’s death is being treated as suspicious or that a criminal investigation is underway.
Trump says Graham sounded “fine” hours before his death
President Donald Trump revealed that he had spoken to Graham by phone on the evening before his death and said the senator appeared to be in good health.Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump speculated that the medical emergency likely occurred shortly after their conversation.“It must have been right after that, because I understand the police or whoever it is came there at about 7:30-8:00 in the evening… so somebody notified them,” Trump said.Expressing his surprise, the President added, “He was fine. I knew him well. He would let you know if he wasn’t feeling well.”Trump later paid tribute to Graham on Truth Social, calling him “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” He also described the longtime lawmaker as a “true American Patriot” who would be “greatly missed.”
Returned from Ukraine a day before his death
According to reports, Graham had just returned from Ukraine, where he had been working with the Trump administration on proposals for new sanctions against Russia. During the visit, he met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Friday.There had been no publicly known health concerns during the trip, making news of his sudden death all the more unexpected. Graham, a close ally of President Trump who was often referred to as the “Trump Whisperer,” remained actively engaged in foreign policy and Senate affairs until his final days.
