Veteran United States Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican lawmaker from South Carolina and close ally of President Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71 following a brief illness.
A statement released by Graham’s office on Sunday confirmed that he passed away after a “brief and sudden illness”, although no official cause of death was disclosed.
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said.
Graham was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. At the time of his death, he was serving his fourth Senate term and campaigning for re-election.
Although he was one of Donald Trump’s sharpest critics during the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Graham later became one of the president’s closest political allies and trusted advisers, particularly on foreign policy and national security issues.
Known for his hawkish stance on international affairs, Graham strongly supported tougher policies on Iran, Russia and the Middle East, and remained an influential voice on U.S. foreign policy throughout his Senate career.
Just a day before his death, the senator announced an agreement with the Trump administration to move forward with a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Graham’s passing has prompted tributes from political leaders in the United States and abroad, marking the end of a congressional career that spanned more than three decades.
Source: AP, CBS News.
