FBI Director Kash Patel said on Sunday his agency is assisting local authorities in Washington, D.C., after four-term Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a close ally of President Donald Trump, died Saturday night following a “brief and sudden illness.”
“The FBI is assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available,” Patel said in a statement Sunday morning. There is no indication foul play was involved in Graham’s death.
The South Carolina Republican died at the age of 71 on Saturday night, his office said, after he returned from a trip to Ukraine. Graham exhibited no signs of ill health prior to the announcement of his death.
Trump announced on Sunday that all flags were to be lowered to half-staff to honor the late lawmaker.
“Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead!” Trump said in a post commemorating Graham. “He was always working, and was a true American patriot.”
A prominent GOP voice on foreign policy, Graham served in Congress for over three decades. He began his career on Capitol Hill as a U.S. representative from 1995 to 2003 before being elected to the Senate.
Dispatch audio revealed that emergency medical services responded to a call of cardiac arrest at Graham’s Capitol Hill residence late Saturday evening. Graham’s family has a history of heart attacks; his father died of a heart attack at 69 when Graham was 21.
LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER ‘BRIEF AND SUDDEN ILLNESS’
South Carolina state law dictates that Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) has full authority to appoint Graham’s replacement. South Carolina Republicans must hold a special election by Aug. 11 to determine who will run against Dr. Annie Andrews for the Senate seat.
“Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who knew him during this devastating time,” Patel’s statement also said.