Lindsey could have you laughing so hard your ribs would hurt.
He had a self-deprecating wit, a twinkle in his eye, and the rare ability to fight fiercely while earning the respect and affection of every senator around him.
In November 2019, I ran into Senator Lindsey Graham in the Capitol Rotunda while I was giving a speech during a demonstration for clean water. Although we stood on opposite sides of the political spectrum at the time, he invited me into his office and made me a cup of coffee.
He was a fierce advocate for conservative values, but he never lost his Southern gentility.
His passing is a significant loss for the American people. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, staff, and the people of South Carolina.
America and the world have lost a fierce defender of liberty and democracy in Lindsey Graham. We will miss his inspirational voice on behalf of freedom as a universal value. And I will miss him as a friend.
As a South Carolina native, I can think of no more fitting tribute to Lindsey Graham's legacy of service to our state and our nation than seeing his beloved sister carry it forward.
Darline has always been at her brother’s side and I know she will be an outstanding interim Senator. The U.S. Treasury will do everything possible to support her and her staff as they work on the President’s agenda and continue to provide strong constituent services for the great people of South Carolina.
As we mourn Senator Graham, I can think of few more fitting tributes to him than winning in Iran.
Lindsey's life's work was keeping America strong and defeating the bad guys. Let's make him proud.
Deeply saddened by the news of the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham. Lindsey was a true defender of freedom and the values that make our world safer.
He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia's full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed. We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week.
A staunch advocate for bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine, in recent weeks, he had been working on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including stronger sanctions against Russia. We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders.
America and the world have lost a determined leader.
Our condolences go out to Lindsey’s family, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.
BREAKING: US President Donald Trump says Washington is reinstating a naval blockade against Iran -- but also says the US will demand a 20% fee on all cargo shipped to guarantee the Strait of Hormuz is open to other countries (on first reading, that equals to ~$15 per barrel!!!!)
Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham.
Lindsey was a patriot and dedicated public servant. He loved South Carolina and America, and dedicated decades to defending both.
Jeanette and I are praying for him and his family — may he rest in peace.
I often criticized Lindsey Graham. But this weekend, I learned his full story:
- Orphaned young, he adopted & raised his little sister instead of letting her go into the system.
- Grew up dirt poor, racking balls in his parents’ pool hall.
- In search of opportunity, he joined the Air Force. Served 33 years. Retired a Colonel.
- Then spent decades in Congress, earning respect across the aisle.
- Bashed Trump hard in ~2016, then respected the will of the voters, and grew to become a loyal ally.
- Humble. Devoted to his constituents.
- Driven by patriotism (even when misguided). Never in it for the money. Could've cashed in any time like most of his colleagues.
- That Disney trip everyone mocked? Just a good uncle taking his beloved nieces. He smiled through (and ignored) the hate to protect his family.
RIP to a self-made American original.
I once interviewed an American lawyer who had helped prosecute Nazis at Nuremberg, and he had watched them hang, and when I asked him to describe the experience, he said, “Harrowing,” not because he had any misgivings about Nazis being punished for their crimes, but because we were talking about life and death, and it felt monumental.
This is how normal people think. They don’t celebrate death — even the death of someone who didn’t vote the way they would have preferred he voted. They’re certainly not “overjoyed” by it. They may come to the conclusion that it’s necessary and just, as in the case of the American lawyer at Nuremberg, but they are also cognizant of the gravity, the finality, of death. They are not Bolsheviks or savages about it.