Lindsey Graham, one of South Carolina’s longest-serving members of Congress and a prominent voice in national politics for more than three decades, has died. He was 71.

According to a statement released by his office early Sunday, Graham died Saturday evening following a “brief and sudden illness.” His office did not provide additional details about the cause of death. His family requested privacy and expressed gratitude for the prayers and support they have received.

President Donald Trump also paid tribute to Graham in a post on Truth Social, calling him “one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known.” The president said Graham “was always working, and was a true American Patriot,” adding that “Lindsey will be greatly missed.” Trump said additional details and arrangements would be released later.

Born July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina, Graham built a career that spanned military service, law and politics. Before entering elected office, he served as an attorney in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps and later continued serving in the Air Force Reserve, eventually retiring with the rank of colonel.  

Graham was first elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1992 before serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2002 and took office in January 2003, representing South Carolina for more than two decades. During his Senate career, he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and later the Senate Budget Committee, becoming one of the Republican Party’s most recognizable lawmakers.  

Known for his outspoken views on national security and foreign policy, Graham was a leading advocate for a strong U.S. military and frequently traveled overseas to meet with American allies. In recent years, he was also one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in the Senate, despite having been one of Trump’s Republican critics during the 2016 presidential campaign.  

His death leaves a vacancy in South Carolina’s representation in the U.S. Senate. Details regarding funeral arrangements and the process for filling the seat had not yet been announced as of Sunday morning.