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Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Trump ally and foreign policy hawk, dies at 71
By Eric McDaniel | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· July 12, 2026
· 4 min read
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks after winning the Republican primary on June 9 in Columbia, S.C.(Jeffrey Collins / AP)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R- S.C., died late Saturday night following a "brief and sudden illness," according to a statement released by his office. He was 71.
His office did ...
Key takeaway Lindsey Graham speaks after winning the Republican primary on June 9 in Columbia, S.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham has significant implications for the Los Angeles community, particularly in the realm of foreign policy and national security. As a prominent figure in the Senate, Graham's influence extended beyond his home state of South Carolina, shaping decisions that affected Californians and the nation as a whole. His experience in the U.S. military and his role as a foreign policy hawk will likely be felt in the state's large defense industry, which has a substantial presence in the Los Angeles area. Additionally, Graham's legislative legacy, including his oversight of judicial confirmations, may have a lasting impact on the federal courts in California, which often handle cases related to immigration, trade, and environmental issues that are critical to the state's economy and residents.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: July 12, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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What is this story about? Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks after winning the Republican primary on June 9 in Columbia, S.C.(Jeffrey Collins / AP)
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R- S.C., died late Saturday night following a "brief and sudden illness," according to a statement released by his office. He was 71.
His office did ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 12, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Eric McDaniel | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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