In the hours leading up to his sudden death late Saturday evening at his Washington, D.C., residence, Sen. Lindsey Graham did not display any outward signs of illness, according to Sunday reports.
In fact, less than a day earlier, he was in Kiev, Ukraine, making a pitch for a new package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of its neighbor more than four years ago.
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“When I get back to Washington, I’m gonna go with Sen. [Richard] Blumenthal to the Republican and Democratic leader, to see if we can find time to move this Russian sanctions package that will give tools to President Trump to help end this war,” Graham, 71, said (see video below).
Trump announced Graham’s sudden passing on Truth Social, writing: “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!
“He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!” Trump added.
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Now, Graham’s possible cause of death has been revealed.
According to NBC News, Graham passed after Saturday night “from a brief and sudden illness.”
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” said a statement from the family.
Emergency responders were dispatched to Graham’s Capitol Hill residence Saturday night after receiving a call reporting a possible “cardiac arrest,” according to police scanner audio obtained by NBC News.
Photographs reviewed by NBC News show paramedics transporting an individual on a stretcher from the home to a waiting ambulance.
Police vehicles and fire trucks were also present at the scene.
Graham was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was running for a fifth six-year term in the Senate this November.
One of the chamber’s most recognizable members, he was a leading voice within his party on defense and foreign policy issues.
A senior Graham aide told NBC News early Sunday that there had been no indication the senator was experiencing health problems before his death.
Graham had been scheduled to appear on NBC News’ Meet the Press Sunday morning, a program on which he had been a frequent guest, making 63 appearances over the years.
Crazy… this was him literally 1 day ago: https://t.co/8cSmudcvrY pic.twitter.com/pRQeum0LC9
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 12, 2026
Senate Majority Leader John Thune paid tribute to a “strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe,” while South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said Graham had been “the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend.”
Per South Carolina law, McMaster will have to appoint someone to fill Graham’s seat until Jan. 3, 2027. It’s not clear yet who he will choose.
Graham secured the Republican nomination for a fifth Senate term in June after defeating several primary challengers.
With the general election scheduled for November, South Carolina Republicans must now select a new nominee, with state election law expected to require a special primary by Aug. 11.
Graham met Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and of the values that make our world safer,” Zelenskyy said in a statement, adding that Graham had visited the war-torn country 10 times since Russia invaded in February 2022.
“We were in constant dialogue, which I will miss,” he said, adding that “in recent weeks he worked on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including strengthening sanctions against Russia.”
“He was a powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance and was actively working to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine,” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Graham “devoted his life to defending America, strengthening our alliance and standing up for the free world.”
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
