Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after an unexpected illness, his office says

Key Points:

• Sen. Lindsey Graham, a prominent South Carolina Republican and close ally of former President Donald Trump, has died at age 71 after a brief and sudden illness, with details of his passing not disclosed.
• Graham was a leading advocate for aggressive U.S. foreign policy, frequently advising Trump on issues like Iran, Russia, and Ukraine, and had just returned from a trip to Ukraine before his death.
• As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and former Judiciary Committee chair, Graham played a key role in major Republican legislative efforts, including tax reform and judicial appointments.
• Despite initial opposition to Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, Graham became one of his closest Senate allies, though he briefly distanced himself after the January 6 Capitol attack.
• South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement, with a special primary election required soon after to select a new nominee for the seat Graham was seeking to retain in November.