Lindsey Graham dies suddenly at 71, remembered as champion for life, an advocate for the persecuted

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died unexpectedly on Saturday at age 71 from a “sudden illness” after emergency personnel responded to a call at his Washington home. He is being remembered as a champion for the pro-life cause and an ally to persecuted Christians worldwide. Around 8:30 p.m., emergency services took a call about chest pains at a Capitol Hill residence. About 25 minutes later, personnel said CPR had begun and that a man at the address was in cardiac arrest, The Washington Post reports, citing an emergency responder scanner. In a statement, Graham’s office said he died after a “brief and sudden illness.” Graham ran for president during the 2016 election cycle. He served in the U.S. Senate for over two decades, was an ally of President Donald Trump and often introduced legislation to institute nationwide restrictions on abortion.

An official cause of death has not yet been determined. On Sunday, Trump told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that Graham was “like a member of the family.” The president praised Graham’s ability to work across the political aisle. “He was such an advocate. If he wanted to get something, he had a unique ability to deal with Democrats and Republicans,” Trump said. “If [I] had a problem – a real problem – I wouldn’t often ask. But if I had a problem with a Democrat, he could work it out. He was a great politician, actually.” On his Truth Social page, Trump called Graham “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” Pro-life and Christian conservative advocacy organizations are mourning Graham’s death. “Lindsey Graham was an unwavering pro-life champion and a friend,” said SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser, who added, “There will be no replacements for Lindsey Graham.” “A man of vision and tenacity, he gave wise counsel and advocacy in countless difficult moments fighting for the rights of the unborn child. He expended himself to the work he was called to do, stepping up when no one else would.

On the fundamental value of the not-yet-born child to live, he said to all who would listen: ‘It’s not about geography!’ Indeed, his ability to persuade transcended geographic and political boundaries.” Tony Perkins, president of the Washington-based Family Research Council, called Graham a “true leader” and a “voice for the defenseless.” “He used his influence to advance the cause of life. When others grew quiet, Lindsey stepped forward and gave his colleagues a way to speak — clearly, courageously, and compassionately — about the dignity of every human life. He was also a consistent advocate for persecuted Christians around the world, those who suffer simply because they refuse to deny their faith.” Graham had been in good enough health days earlier to travel abroad, and a top staffer said there had been no sign he was feeling unwell before he died, according to NBC News. He had been scheduled to appear on Sunday on “Meet the Press,” the network’s flagship Sunday political program. Graham recently returned from Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, CNN notes. Tributes also came from abroad. Ruslan Stefanchuk, the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament, called Graham a steadfast friend who understood that his country’s struggle was a fight for freedom and democracy.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said the senator had grasped that his country’s safety and America’s could not be separated, and that Israel had lost one of its closest friends. Graham was raised in Central, South Carolina, where the family ran a restaurant and pool hall, and he became the first of his family to attend college before earning a law degree from the University of South Carolina. He served 33 years in the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve and the South Carolina Air National Guard, retiring in 2015 as a colonel. He served in the House from 1995 before winning the Senate seat in 2002 that the retiring Strom Thurmond had held. Graham’s death narrows the Republican majority in the Senate, where the party had held a 53-47 edge and was already braced for the absence of one member, Sen. Mitch McConnell, 84, who has been in the hospital since last month. A spokesperson has said the former GOP leader is continuing to recover without giving further details. Under South Carolina law, Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, can appoint a successor immediately to serve until Jan. 3 of next year, when the term ends.

State Republicans must now choose a new nominee, and a special primary is expected by Aug. 11.

Source: Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, dies after sudden illness | Politics

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Lindsey Graham dies suddenly at 71, remembered as champion for life, an advocate for the persecuted

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