![\"Sen.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2231791526.jpg\" "\\"Sen.")
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Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, appears in a file photo from August 2025. Graham died July 11, 2026, at the age of 71.<\/p>\n
Amir Levy<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
California lawmakers remember Republican Senator Lindsey Graham as a war hawk and an ally of President Donald Trump with a great sense of humor.<\/p>\n
The South Carolina representative died Saturday night at age 71 from a \u201cbrief and sudden illness,\u201d according to his office. No further details were provided as of Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
A onetime opponent turned steadfast ally of President Trump, Graham was a strong advocate for interventionist U.S. foreign policy. He fiercely supported Israel and Ukraine and recently backed aggressive military action against Iran.<\/p>\n
Before winning his Senate seat in 2002, Graham worked as an Air Force lawyer, served in the Air Force Reserve while in Congress and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He sought reelection to the Senate in 2026, defeating five challengers to win the Republican primary.<\/p>\n
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., described Graham as \u201clarger than life\u201d in an interview on NBC\u2019s \u201cMeet the Press\u201d Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019re all trying to wrap our heads around this giant loss,\u201d he said. \u201cHe was one of those figures that\u2026 was so filled with energy that it\u2019s hard to imagine him gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Schiff said Graham was a politician who could disagree without being disagreeable. He cited his late colleague\u2019s \u201cwonderful sense of humor that he used to cut through the tension,\u201d including \u201cjests\u201d he made about individuals of both sides of the political aisle.<\/p>\n
The Californian senator recalled traveling with Graham and observing the respect world leaders held for him.<\/p>\n
Schiff also emphasized Graham\u2019s closeness to President Trump.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of us consider him the Trump whisperer. If we wanted to know what the president\u2019s thinking was, or how he might be moved on something, you would go to Lindsey to discuss it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, however, Schiff said he remembers Graham\u2019s \u201cquick wit,\u201d \u201cwonderful sense of humor\u201d used to advance his policy positions and \u201ctremendous grasp of foreign policy\u201d \u2014 especially his staunch support of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Graham recently returned from a trip to Ukraine and had been scheduled to appear on Sunday morning\u2019s \u201cMeet the Press.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like Schiff, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, expressed his condolences and recognized Graham\u2019s service in an interview with NBC\u2019s Kristen Welker.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe obviously served this country honorably in the Air Force,\u201d Khanna said. \u201cHe was someone who bucked his own party on immigration, who talked about having undocumented people have a pathway to citizenship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Graham was part of the bipartisan \u201cGang of Eight,\u201d a group of senators during the Obama administration that explored legislation coupling border security enhancements with a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. He also previously worked with Democrats to help \u201cdreamers\u201d brought to the U.S. as children.<\/p>\n
Still, Graham\u2019s stance on immigration shifted rightward in recent years. The late senator abandoned the Dream Act, supported President Trump\u2019s agenda on mass deportations and called for a crackdown on \u201csanctuary cities\u201d before his death.<\/p>\n
While Khanna paid his respects to Graham, he also acknowledged their \u201cprofound disagreements on foreign policy\u201d and voiced his belief that younger generations prefer a more human rights oriented foreign policy to foreign wars.<\/p>\n
Sen. Alex Padilla D-Calif., issued the following statement regarding the passing of Graham:<\/p>\n
\u201cI am shocked to hear of the sudden passing of Senator Graham. While we disagreed on much, I respect Lindsey\u2019s dedication to public service, from his time in the military, the House of Representatives, and the Senate. Angela and I are praying for his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n
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