US Sen. Lindsey Graham has died after a brief and unexpected illness, his office says

Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has passed away at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness. Known for his robust advocacy of military interventionism, Graham served in both the House and the Senate starting in 2002. Although he initially ran against Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential primary, he later became one of the president's closest allies in Congress. Throughout his career, he focused heavily on foreign policy and maintained strong trans-Atlantic ties, frequently traveling abroad to meet with world leaders. Graham chaired the Senate Budget Committee during Trump’s second term and held a key role in the Senate Judiciary Committee previously. Following the announcement of his death, political figures including President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to his patriotism and dedication to global stability. Despite his prominent political standing, his office provided no specific details regarding the nature of his illness. Under South Carolina law, Governor Henry McMaster is responsible for appointing a temporary replacement to fill the Senate seat until January. Graham, who was not married and had no children, is remembered as a steadfast public servant.