The Complex Legacy of Sen. Lindsey Graham

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham from South Carolina attended a hearing for Russell Vought, the nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget. A notable moment of his career occurred on Capitol Hill in Washington on January 22, 2025. However, the recent passing of Senator Graham has sparked reflections on his multifaceted life.

Lindsey Graham’s political journey was filled with complexity. He served as a dynamic figure, first recognized as a sharp and moderate Republican. During his early years, he often challenged his own party’s stance when necessary. After moving to the Senate in 2003, Graham formed a strong alliance with Sen. John McCain and later with Sen. Joe Lieberman, advocating for a robust foreign policy.

Initially, Graham was one of the early critics of Donald Trump’s candidacy. He openly opposed Trump following controversial remarks about McCain. In a 2015 CNN interview, Graham sharply criticized Trump, demonstrating his initial resistance to Trump’s approach.

“You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell.” – Lindsey Graham, 2015

Despite this early opposition, Graham’s stance changed following Trump’s election. He became a close advisor and frequent ally of Trump. Yet this alliance wavered, particularly after the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, when Graham publicly distanced himself from Trump, only to realign with him months later.

Tributes poured in after Graham’s death, recognizing him as a dedicated patriot and advocate for South Carolina. Many acknowledged his contributions to America’s global leadership and his cooperative demeanor in the Senate.

However, Graham’s later alignment with Trump overshadowed some of his previous achievements. Critics viewed him as a significant enabler of Trump, paralleling figures like Marco Rubio and JD Vance who shifted from initial opposition to support.

Lindsey Graham’s legacy is a narrative of transformation and contradiction. While he served both his state and country in various capacities, his ties to Trump remained a defining chapter of his career.

Bill Press, host of The Bill Press Pod, is the author of “From the Left: A Life in the Crossfire.”