Longtime GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham dies at 71 after 'brief and sudden illness'

Chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram joined "Fox & Friends Weekend" on Sunday to discuss the sudden passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

Pergram noted that Graham's death comes as Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., remains hospitalized and his health situation is unknown.

"The Senate is supposed to come back, obviously, in the coming days here so they have to figure out, you know, what his status is," Pergram said. "But now the Senate is, on the Republican side of the aisle, down to 51 votes."

"They have trouble moving things through the Senate right now, so what will they do to replace him?" he continued, adding that South Carolina law indicates someone will be appointed to fill Graham's seat.

Fox News' Sean Hannity paid his respects to Sen. Lindsey Graham in a statement on X early Sunday morning, calling the deceased senator a "dear friend."

"Most people do not know his life’s story. He grew up living over a bar run by his family. After the early death of his parents he personally stepped up to provide for, and raise, his younger sister. He then became a Congressman and later a Senator," Hannity wrote.

"Contrary to a public narrative that he was a war hawk, it was the opposite that is true. He wanted an end to the war with Russia and Ukraine and end all conflicts in the Middle East. There is no elected official that traveled to these regions more than Senator Graham. His dream for the Middle East was that of a lasting peace in the region between every nation and his hope was this could all be accomplished by the early fall. This is something he loved to discuss with President Trump and others day and night," he continued.

"I pray his dream of a lasting peace is realized sooner than later. There was simply nobody in elected office that loved his job and worked harder," he added.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune honored Sen. Lindsey Graham early Sunday morning, praising his deceased colleague as a "trusted adviser."

"My heart is heavy this morning to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham," Thune wrote on X.

"Lindsey’s long and dedicated service in the Air Force and in Congress carried him to far-flung regions of the world. He was a strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe. He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause," he continued.

"As South Carolina’s senior senator, Lindsey fought passionately for the Palmetto State. He was a trusted adviser and colleague to me and many others, and numerous presidents and heads of state have relied on his counsel. His influence on the federal judiciary, our national defense, and his beloved South Carolina will be felt for generations," he wrote.

"Kimberley and I pray for Lindsey’s friends and family, and we send our heartfelt condolences during this most difficult time," he added.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster released a statement early Sunday morning saying he is "devastated" by the news of Sen. Lindsey Graham's passing.

"Peggy and I – and our children – are devastated," he said in a statement. "Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America – and a loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darline, his family and his developed staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again."

Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and won reelection three times. He was seeking a fifth Senate term after winning the Republican primary last month.

Graham served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and sat on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Environment and Public Works committees.

Before joining the Senate, Graham was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994, becoming the first Republican to represent South Carolina's 3rd Congressional District since 1877.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make appearances on NBC News' 'Meet the Press' Sunday morning to discuss the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, host Kristen Welker says.

Welker said Graham had been scheduled to appear on the program Sunday morning before a "brief and sudden illness" took his life.

"It would have been his 64th appearance on this broadcast," Welker wrote in a post on Instagram.

"We are sending our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will join us this morning to reflect on his life and legacy," she added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mourned the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., in a statement on X on Sunday.

Zelenskyy called Graham a "true defender of freedom" and expressed his gratitude for the senator's frequent visits to Ukraine even during the Russian invasion.

"He visited Ukraine ten times during the years of Russia's full-scale invasion and was here with our people when it was most needed. We remained in constant dialogue, and I will miss our conversations. We met twice in just the past week," Zelenskyy wrote.

"A staunch advocate for bipartisan and bicameral support for Ukraine, in recent weeks, he had been working on important initiatives that could help bring peace closer, including stronger sanctions against Russia. We will always be especially grateful for the recognition of our people and words of admiration for the courage of Ukraine’s defenders," he continued.

"America and the world have lost a determined leader. Our condolences go out to Lindsey’s family, loved ones, and everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him," Zelenskyy added.

Graham had just returned from a trip to Ukraine this weekend when news of his death from a "brief and sudden illness" swept Washington, D.C.

The senator's office has not released further details about his death.

Sen. Lindsey Graham spent more than two decades representing South Carolina in the Senate, where he became one of the Republican Party's most influential voices on defense and foreign policy.

The four-term senator, who was seeking reelection this November, chaired the Senate Budget Committee and remained a close ally of President Donald Trump. Just days before his death, Graham traveled to Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Before his election to the Senate in 2002, Graham served in the South Carolina House and later represented the state's 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House.

President Donald Trump hailed Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., just hours after news of the Republican firebrand's death became public on Sunday.

Trump called Graham a "true American Patriot" and said his administration is already working on arrangements to honor the longtime senator.

"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 wrote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Sen. Lindsey Graham following his death, calling the South Carolina Republican "one of Israel's greatest friends" and praising his decades-long support for the U.S.-Israel alliance.

"Sara and I grieve with the American people over the loss of our dear friend, Senator Lindsey Graham," Netanyahu said in a statement. He added that Graham understood "the security of Israel and America are inseparable" and dedicated his life to strengthening the alliance between the two countries.

"Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend," Netanyahu said, offering condolences to Graham's family and the American people.

Sen. Lindsey Graham's death sets two separate processes in motion under South Carolina law, one to fill his current Senate seat and another to determine who will become the Republican nominee for November's election.

Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement to serve the remainder of Graham's current term, which ends Jan. 3, 2027. Because the term is set to expire in less than six months, no special election is required to fill the vacancy.

Republicans, meanwhile, cannot simply pick a new nominee. State law requires an expedited Republican primary to replace Graham on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. With the vacancy occurring months before Election Day, there is enough time for that process to be completed.

The governor's appointee and the eventual Republican nominee could be the same person, but they do not have to be.

Fox News Digital Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is mourning the death of his longtime friend and colleague, Sen. Lindsey Graham, calling him a statesman who dedicated his life to serving South Carolina.

In a statement released Sunday, Scott said Graham led with "faith, family, and South Carolina first" throughout his decades in public office."South Carolina lost a statesman and I've lost a friend," Scott said. "My prayers are with his sister and the rest of his family."

Scott praised Graham's commitment to public service, saying he remained devoted to his work until the end and brought humor and perspective even during difficult moments.

"Lindsey remained committed to public service and doing what he loved," Scott said. "He always introduced levity and brought wit to the most challenging moments."

Scott concluded his tribute by saying simply, "Lindsey will be missed."Graham died Sunday at the age of 71 following what his office described as a "brief and sudden" illness.

The South Carolina Republican had served in the U.S. Senate since 2003 and was one of the state's longest-serving elected officials.