Graham had returned to Washington just one day before his death following an official visit to Ukraine, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials in Kyiv. During the trip, Graham announced an agreement with the Trump administration to move forward with a new package of sanctions targeting Russia. Zelenskyy later noted that Graham had visited Ukraine 10 times since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 and thanked the South Carolina senator for his continued support of the country.
The statement added that Graham’s family “appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.” His office did not disclose the nature of the illness or provide additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.
Graham was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 after serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was serving his fourth Senate term and had recently won the Republican primary while seeking reelection to a fifth term.
During his more than two decades in the Senate, Graham served in several prominent leadership roles, including chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and later chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. He became nationally known for his work on judicial confirmations, military affairs, national security, and foreign policy.
Although Graham was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, the two later became close political allies. Graham frequently defended Trump and worked closely with the administration on domestic and foreign policy initiatives.
Following the announcement of his death, tributes began arriving from political leaders across the United States. President Donald Trump praised Graham’s decades of public service, while other current and former elected officials offered condolences to his family.
Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to appoint an interim successor to fill the Senate seat until a special election is held in accordance with state law.
Authorities have not released additional information regarding the cause of Graham’s death. Funeral arrangements have not been publicly announced.
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