The cause of Lindsey Graham's death has been revealed following the veteran Republican senator's sudden passing at the age of 71.
According to preliminary findings released by the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the South Carolina lawmaker died from an aortic dissection caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The medical examiner's office said the death certificate will remain pending until toxicological and microscopic testing has been completed.
A statement shared by Lindsey's communications director, Taylor Reidy, said his official cause of death was listed as "Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease."
The medical examiner added: "The death certificate will be pending until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death."
FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X that they were "assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available."
© Getty ImagesFamily asks for privacy
Lindsey's office first announced the devastating news in a statement shared on social media, revealing that the senator had experienced a "brief and sudden illness."
"On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness," the statement read.
"Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period."
© Getty ImagesA career spanning more than three decades
Born in the small town of Central, South Carolina, Lindsey served as an Air Force lawyer before entering politics.
He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and won a Senate seat in 2002, where he became one of Washington's most influential voices on foreign policy. During his career, he chaired both the Senate Judiciary Committee and, most recently, the Senate Budget Committee.
In 2016, Lindsey briefly sought the Republican presidential nomination and was initially one of Donald Trump's fiercest critics, famously warning that nominating Trump would damage the Republican Party. Over time, however, the pair became close political allies, with Graham emerging as one of the president's strongest supporters in the Senate.
© Getty ImagesFinal overseas trip
Just days before his death, Lindsey had returned from Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his tenth visit to the country.
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked the senator publicly for his continued support of Ukraine and its armed forces. Lindsey had been due to discuss the trip, along with his views on Iran, during an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday.
Tributes pour in
President Donald Trump led tributes, describing Lindsey as "one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known."
"He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed," Trump wrote in a message shared on Truth Social.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster also paid an emotional tribute, writing: "Peggy and I — and our children — are devastated.
"Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America — and a loyal and steadfast friend... We shall not see his likes again."
Lindsey never married and did not have children. He was serving his fourth term in the U.S. Senate and had been seeking re-election for what would have been a fifth term.
