US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham dies suddenly after falling Ill

Lindsey Graham, the Republican Senator from South Carolina, has passed away after being suddenly stricken by illness. His office confirmed his death early this morning (Sunday) via a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Graham passed away at the age of 71. According to US media reports, he suffered a heart attack at his residence on Capitol Hill on Saturday night. Graham had just returned from a trip from Ukraine and was scheduled to appear on a television program this morning.

Shortly after the news of his death spread, US President Donald Trump expressed deep sorrow. He described Graham as one of the greatest people he had ever known and a staunch patriot.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed profound grief over the incident. Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his condolences, stating that Israel had lost one of its greatest friends.

Graham was a hawkish defense expert who was vocal about protecting long-term national security interests in the fight against terrorism. He was known as a strong supporter of Israel and Ukraine, as well as a fierce opponent of Iran.

Since the start of Russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2022, he had visited Ukraine a total of 10 times.

In his political career, Graham was initially a fierce critic of Donald Trump. However, he later became one of Trump's most trusted and loyal allies on Capitol Hill. Although he strongly criticized Trump during the 2016 election campaign, he later became Trump's golfing partner.

However, last year, when Trump decided to pardon the 1,500 supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill attack, Graham openly opposed the decision.

In his personal life, Graham was unmarried. He was first elected to the Senate in 2002.  (Source: BBC)