Sen. Lindsey Graham, a foreign policy hawk who became a close Trump ally, dies suddenly at 71

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a leading foreign-policy hawk and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, died at 71 after what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness.” The South Carolina Republican’s family asked for privacy, and said details about arrangements would follow. Trump posted early Sunday that Graham “is dead” and said he would be “greatly missed,” while Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the senator was a strong advocate for the United States and for partners worldwide. Graham was influential on issues involving Iran and Russia and had returned from Ukraine, announcing on Friday a step forward with the Trump administration on moving ahead with a Russia sanctions package. He chaired the Senate Budget Committee during Trump’s second term, and with Republicans holding a 53–47 majority, his role supported major party-line legislation. Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement ahead of Graham’s reelection bid in November.