The United States lost a great patriot with the July 11 sudden death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the most prominent and powerful foreign policy hawk in Congress.

Graham, 71, died suddenly following reported chest pains and cardiac arrest. 

For more than two decades, Graham championed the peace through American strength abroad, advocating for military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq — and Iran.

He also pushed hard to back Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion — and had just returned from a trip to Kyiv hours before he died.

To that end, U.S. President Donald J. Trump wrote the following in a Truth Social posting shortly after finding out about Graham’s death:

“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!

“He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad!

Trump later told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on July 12 that one of Graham’s legacies as a legislator was helping to confirm U.S. Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018.

“I don’t think he (Kavanaugh) could have gotten through without Lindsey,” Trump stated. “He was a great politician. He really was. He got along with a lot of people that you wouldn’t think of. He was somebody that loved our country. And he fought very hard for the country.”

In Graham’s home state, the Republican governor, Henry McMaster, released a statement on the senator’s death on July 11 night as follows:

“Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable... The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast friend.”

In his tribute to the late senator on July 12, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had “lost one of its greatest friends” in Graham.

“America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend. Our hearts are with Lindsey’s family and with the American people at this difficult time. May his values and initiatives continue to guide us toward victory and peace, and may his memory forever be a blessing,” Netanyahu added.

In our view, Graham left a much-deserved and inspiring legacy as a dedicated national security hawk and a legislative bridge-builder. 

To his credit, he championed a strong military and foreign policy, supported judicial confirmations, and worked across the aisle on complex issues like immigration reform.