- The senator's office says Graham died after a sudden illness.
- The former Trump critic became a close ally in Congress.
- The defense hawk recently chaired the Senate Budget Committee.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday night after a brief, sudden illness, his office's communications director said in a post on X early Sunday.
Graham, 71, was a prominent Republican senator from South Carolina. Early in his career, he was an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump before becoming one of his most loyal allies on Capitol Hill.
“Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” his office added.
Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002. Before serving in the upper house, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 from South Carolina's 3rd congressional district, according to his website.
A defense hawk, his website said he had “consistently pushed for results in the War on Terrorism that protect our long-term national security interests.”
Graham most recently served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. Graham also served as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
Graham was unmarried and lived in Seneca, South Carolina.
