Veteran Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, one of Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, has died at the age of 71 following a brief and sudden illness.

Lindsey Graham, the longtime Republican senator from South Carolina and a prominent ally of Donald Trump, has died at the age of 71, his office confirmed.

According to a statement posted on X early Sunday, Graham passed away after a “brief and sudden illness.”

Longtime Republican Leader

Lindsey Graham served for decades in the United States Senate, where he became one of the Republican Party’s most influential voices on national security, foreign policy and judicial matters.

Although Graham was initially a vocal critic of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, he later became one of Trump’s closest allies in Congress and frequently supported the former president’s legislative and political agenda.

Reports of Medical Emergency

US media reported that emergency responders were called to Graham’s Capitol Hill residence on Saturday night following reports of a cardiac arrest.

His office has not released additional details regarding the cause of death beyond confirming that he died following a brief illness.

Tributes Expected

Graham’s death marks the end of a long political career that spanned decades in national politics.

Leaders from across the political spectrum are expected to pay tribute to the veteran lawmaker, whose influence extended across foreign policy, defense and judicial affairs throughout his time in the Senate.