Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died suddenly over the weekend, prompting reflection on his political legacy and his significant role in the transition of the Republican Party and Washington politics into the Trump era. Graham, once a prominent critic of Donald Trump, became a staunch ally after Trump's 2016 election victory, a shift that surprised many and reshaped his influence.
Graham's career trajectory illustrates how many Republicans were drawn to Trump, enabling the senator to steer the president toward his long-held policy objectives. A notable example is Graham's impact on foreign policy, where he was a leading hawk for decades. At the time of his death, the U.S. was involved in a military conflict with Iran, an action Graham had championed. He also advocated for years for intervention in Venezuela, which resulted in the U.S. exercising de facto control over the government after the arrest of its leader, Nicolás Maduro. The day before his death, Graham visited Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, offering support for Ukraine's efforts against Russia, a stance Graham had cultivated despite Trump's initial hesitations.
Early Career and Pre-Trump Ideals
Graham's early life in South Carolina involved raising his sister and running the family restaurant after their parents' death. He served in the U.S. Air Force before entering politics, moving from the state legislature to the House of Representatives, where he played a role in the impeachment of Bill Clinton. He won a Senate seat in 2002. By 2016, however, he was seen by some as a less prominent figure within the party. As a close ally of the late Senator John McCain, Graham shared ideals of national security conservatism, bipartisan dealmaking, and respect for Senate institutions, which contrasted with the ascendant Tea Party movement.
During President Barack Obama's first term, Graham engaged in discussions on climate and immigration bills but ultimately withdrew from talks. In Obama's second term, he was part of the bipartisan "Gang of Eight" that proposed comprehensive immigration reform, which passed the Senate but failed in the House. In his 2016 presidential campaign, Graham directly addressed criticisms of his immigration stance, warning Republicans about alienating Latino voters and facing a "demographic death spiral" unless the party became more inclusive.
His initial criticism of Trump, whom he called a "jackass" after Trump's comments about John McCain's POW status, was sharp. Graham, like many Republicans, initially believed Trump's influence would be temporary. However, Trump's election victory presented Graham with a new political reality.
Embracing the Trump Era
Following Trump's victory, Graham quickly became a vocal supporter, appearing frequently on Trump's favored programs and in Senate hearings. This shift led to various interpretations, including political survival, given the unlikelihood of winning a Republican primary as a "Never Trumper," and psychological theories suggesting he attached himself to a dominant political figure.
Graham himself explained his approach as a desire to influence decisions, particularly in foreign policy, where he noted Trump's tendency to change his mind. By positioning himself within Trump's orbit, Graham believed he could shape policy. After Trump's 2020 loss and the January 6 Capitol riot, Graham argued that Republicans needed to remain aligned with Trump to maintain political relevance and advance their agenda.
Within the Republican party, Graham competed with figures like Senator Rand Paul and media personalities such as Tucker Carlson for influence over Trump. While isolationists pushed for withdrawal from international commitments, hawks like Graham leveraged Trump's inclination for projecting strength to advocate for a more active military role. Trump's administration saw alternating victories for these factions, with pre-Trump hawks like Graham gaining influence in the later term, appealing to Trump's desire for a significant legacy.
This dynamic also played out in domestic policy. As a member and later chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Graham was instrumental in confirming numerous federal judges, including Supreme Court justices. As budget chair, he played a role in crafting significant tax cuts and healthcare spending reductions, policies that aligned with his pre-Trump conservative principles.
An Uncertain Legacy
Graham's influence shaped aspects of the U.S. budget, judiciary, and foreign policy. However, his legacy is complicated by the evolving state of the Republican Party as Trump enters his lame-duck period. The Iran war did not fully achieve its stated goals, and hawkish supporters expressed disappointment with Trump's efforts to negotiate a ceasefire. The war's unpopularity and its association with Israeli leadership have also contributed to backlash against the U.S.-Israel relationship, a cause Graham championed.
Furthermore, figures like Vice President JD Vance, who also shifted from Trump critic to ally, have ties to MAGA leaders critical of Graham's perspectives. This suggests a potential shift in the party's direction away from the more traditional conservatism Graham represented. Graham's vision for a demographically inclusive party faced challenges from a resurgence of white nationalism, partly fueled by Trump's disruption of political norms. The state of American democracy, including free speech, election integrity, and impartial justice, which Graham believed was manageable under Trump, remains a point of concern for many.
Graham's alignment with Trump ultimately led to the advancement of many of his policy goals, but it also potentially marginalized his own ideological wing and empowered successors with different views. His political journey, from critic to key ally, will be a defining element of his obituary and historical assessment.