politics
Senator Lindsey Graham dies after returning from Ukraine trip
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died Saturday after returning from his tenth trip to Ukraine. President Trump described Graham as like a member of the family and one of the last people to speak with him.
Jul 14, 5:45 AM·1m read1 source
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President Trump said Graham was like a member of the family and among the final people to speak with him. Graham had spent the decade after his 2016 primary contest with Trump building regular access to the president on national security questions.
Foreign policy role Graham pressed for continued U.S. involvement abroad even as Trump questioned alliances and warned against prolonged interventions. He worked on a long-stalled bipartisan Russia sanctions bill and supported Saudi-Israel normalization.
Fox News reported that Graham told a confidant hours before his death that he was not feeling well but joked he could not die because he still had work to do. Retired Army Gen. Jack Keane said Graham preferred firsthand contact with foreign leaders over writing op-eds or making speeches.
Colleagues' recollections Democratic Sen.
Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota wrote that Graham showed "kid-like exuberance" about his work and responsibilities. " Graham had publicly disagreed with Trump over Iran policy and pushed a tougher line on Russia in Ukraine, yet remained one of the president's closest advisers on foreign affairs.
