Lindsey Graham's journey from pool hall to heights of political power
The article profiles the career of the late US Senator Lindsey Graham, tracing his path from a South Carolina pool hall owner's son to a prominent, hawkish figure in the US Senate. It highlights his complex political evolution from a vocal Trump critic to a key ally.
Why it matters
Graham's career trajectory and his shifting relationship with Donald Trump serve as a case study for the changing dynamics of the modern Republican Party.
<p>Lindsey Graham, the garrulous son of South Carolina pool hall owners, rose to become a fixture on the global stage and one of the most prominent advocates of American military might in the US Senate.</p> <p>A former military lawyer who reached the rank of colonel in the Air Force, the wisecracking Graham was known for his Southern drawl, political flexibility and reliably hawkish stance on foreign policy. He ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 as a determined opponent of Donald Trump, then became one of the new president's staunchest allies.</p> <p>In his typical high-energy manner, Graham had just returned to Washington from a trip to Ukraine, having announced a deal with the Trump administration for a new package of sanctions against Russia. He was due to appear on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday to discuss it.
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