US Senator Lindsey Graham dies after 'brief and sudden illness', his office says
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has passed away following a sudden illness, shortly after returning from a diplomatic trip to Ukraine. President Trump and other officials have acknowledged his death, noting his significant influence on US foreign policy.
Why it matters
The death of a high-ranking, long-serving US Senator creates a vacancy in the Senate and impacts the political landscape regarding foreign policy and party leadership.
Figure caption, Watch: Senator Lindsey Graham visited Ukraine a day before he died
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has died following a brief and sudden illness.
His office has released a statement saying he died on Saturday evening. "Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period."
Elected to the Senate in 2002, the South Carolina politician was one of Washington's most influential voices on foreign policy and a key ally of Trump.
He had just returned from Kyiv, where he met the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. There were no known health concerns ahead of his trip.
In a social media post marking the senator's death, US President Donald Trump said Graham was a "true American Patriot".
Graham also served as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.
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