Lindsey Graham Has Died at 71

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime senator and staunch ally of President Donald Trump, died on Saturday at the age of 71, his office announced.

Graham died of an “Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease,” according to preliminary findings by the D.C. Medical Examiner’s office released by his office Sunday. The senator’s official death certificate will be pending “until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized,” his office said.

Aortic dissection is not common but usually happens to men in their 60s and 70s, according to the Mayo Clinic, which said it often goes undiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to other health conditions.

The aortic dissection itself may feel like a heart attack or another heart condition, and if blood goes outside the artery, it’s often deadly, the clinic says.

Graham’s office said earlier Sunday that the senator “passed away from a brief and sudden illness.”

Trump posted about the senator soon after.

“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” he wrote on Truth Social. “He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!”

Graham was first elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives. He often pushed for more military intervention abroad, with a bipartisan streak on issues like immigration reform and — as recently as last week — sanctions on Russia.

Graham ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 against Trump. At the time, the senator was adamantly opposed to Trump, who he called a “a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot.”

In the years since, though, Graham became one of Trump’s closest allies in the Senate, helping push for his policies. He had also been one of Trump’s most public advocates, including as a near-constant presence on TV. He had been due to appear on “Meet the Press” Sunday morning, host Kristen Welker said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post Sunday that Graham was “a devoted public servant, a fierce defender of our nation, and a true patriot who dedicated his life to the people of South Carolina and the United States.”

Patel added that the “FBI is assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available.”

Graham’s death leaves an open seat in South Carolina and a narrower majority for Republicans in the Senate. Before Graham’s death, Republicans held 53 seats, and Sen. Mitch McConnell has been out due to health issues.

Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster can appoint a temporary replacement to serve until a special election under state law. In a short statement, McMaster called Graham “the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America — and a loyal and steadfast friend.”

Graham was running for reelection this year and had defeated multiple opponents in the primary. He was set to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in November.

This story has been updated to include the preliminary cause of death released by Graham’s office and a social media post from FBI Director Kash Patel.