Graham’s career, which spanned over three decades, began with his 1994 election to the U.S. House of Representatives. He eventually ascended to the Senate, where he established himself as a hawkish voice on defense. He was a vocal proponent of a robust national security apparatus, maintaining a consistent stance against Iranian influence and advocating for sustained support for Ukraine. In his final years, he frequently pressed China to exert diplomatic pressure on Russia to conclude the war in Ukraine.
His political trajectory was marked by a dramatic realignment. After competing against Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Graham pivoted to become a reliable partner for the former president. The relationship remained complex; even as a staunch ally, Graham publicly broke with Trump over the 2025 decision to pardon participants of the January 6 Capitol attack. Following the news of his passing, Trump described him as one of the most significant individuals to serve in the Senate, underscoring the depth of their tangled political history.
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