US Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday evening, July 11, after a brief and sudden illness, his office announced on his official X account early Sunday. He was 71.
Graham's legacy of war advocacy
The veteran Republican senator from South Carolina was notorious for urging US military action, particularly in support of Israel. He repeatedly stated that part of his job was to protect Israel's interests. During a visit to Tel Aviv in March, Graham pledged to stand with Israel until 'our dying day,' saying, 'When it comes to Israel, we have common enemies and common values.'
Graham pushed for military action against Iran for years. He supported the US-Israel war on Gaza, which has destabilized the Middle East and killed over 7,300 people, including over 100 schoolgirls, according to reports. In March, the Wall Street Journal reported that Graham traveled to Israel several times before the war to coach Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on convincing President Donald Trump to go to war with Iran.
Graham compared the Iranian government to Nazi Germany and insisted it would be a 'mistake' for Trump not to initiate regime change. 'They're no more normal than Hitler was,' he said. Without evidence, he claimed Iran would have had '11 nuclear bombs' within a year and would use them. He echoed Trump's claim that Iran was about to attack before the US attack in February.
Historic support for war
Graham's hawkish foreign policy predated the Iran conflict. He backed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which removed Saddam Hussein but led to millions of deaths and destabilized the country. Graham argued that Saddam's government posed a danger to the US and that military action was necessary. The Iraq War remains controversial, justified by claims of weapons of mass destruction that were never found.
Graham opposed quick withdrawal from Iraq, stating in 2006, 'To start withdrawing troops would be equivalent to surrendering in the central battle front in the War on Terror.' He urged recommitment to moderate forces and defeating insurgents and foreign fighters.
He also supported US military intervention in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, consistently backing a US presence for a decade and criticizing the Biden administration's 2021 withdrawal. In Libya, he backed NATO intervention against the Gaddafi government, and for Syria, he advocated expanded military engagement. During his 2016 presidential campaign, he proposed sending additional US troops to Iraq and Syria.
Graham backed the blockade on Cuba, framing Trump's actions as a precursor to liberation from the communist government. Earlier this year, he praised Trump for 'finishing the job' of Ronald Reagan, citing the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as evidence of successful foreign policy.
Tributes and reactions
President Donald Trump posted on X on Sunday, calling Graham 'one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known. He was always working and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed.'
