California politicians on both sides of the aisle were shocked and bereft Sunday after learning about the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch Republican leader and close friend of President Donald Trump.
Graham, who had just returned from a trip to the Ukraine, died of a brief illness. His family has not disclosed further details. He was 71.
“We’re all trying to wrap our heads around this giant loss,” Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, said Sunday morning on NBC’s Meet the Press, on which Graham was scheduled to appear. “Many of us considered him the Trump whisperer. If we wanted to know what the president’s thinking was or how he might be moved on something, we would go to Lindsey to discuss.”
“We’re all trying to wrap our heads around this giant loss,” Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, said Sunday morning on NBC’s Meet the Press, on which Graham was scheduled to appear. (Jeff Chiu/Associated Press)
Trump, also on Meet the Press, described Graham as a “member of the family.” The president said he spoke to the senator from South Carolina on Saturday evening.
“He sounded a little bit tired, but perfect,” Trump said.
The longtime senator from South Carolina, who began serving in Congress in 1995, leaves behind a legacy as a defender of aggressive national security policies. He advocated for financial support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia and Israel’s war with Iran.
“Lindsey Graham was a giant – a tireless advocate for America’s national security and one of the most consequential voices in Congress for nearly three decades,” Rep. Vince Fong, a Republican from Bakersfield, wrote on social media. “He lived a life of service, from the Air Force to the Senate. May God bless him and grant his family peace and comfort.”
Schiff recalled Graham’s quick wit and ability to cut tension with his sense of humor. Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from the San Diego area, wrote on X Sunday that Graham was great to work with and that he is already missed.
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., wrote on X Sunday that Graham was great to work with and that he is already missed. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
“His commitment to public service and dedication to our nation will be remembered for years to come,” added Rep. David Valadao, a Republican from the San Joaquin Valley.
Graham and Trump’s friendship started on unsteady ground, after the two traded barbs during the 2016 race for president. Graham at one point called Trump unfit for office. But once Trump was in the White House, their relationship shifted. Graham has defended Trump throughout the president’s time in office.
Rep. Ro Khanna, also on Meet the Press, offered his condolences to Graham’s family. The South Bay congressman said he appreciated that Graham bucked his party on immigration policy, including his support for giving undocumented people a pathway to citizenship. Khanna said the two had an obvious divide on foreign policy.
“I do believe that there is a new generation that does not want these foreign wars and wants a more human rights-oriented foreign policy,” Khanna said. “But my condolences to him and recognition of his service.”
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, added on X that Graham would be deeply missed and remembered his conviction and that he “never stopped fighting for what he believed in.”
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This article originally published at California politicians react to Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death: ‘Giant loss’.