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Lindsey Graham
U.S. Senator from South Carolina
Senior Republican senator who transformed from vocal Trump critic to staunch ally; investigated for call to Georgia elections officials
Overview
Lindsey Olin Graham has served as a U.S. Senator from South Carolina since 2003. Graham is notable for one of the most dramatic political transformations in modern American politics; evolving from one of Donald Trump's most vocal Republican critics (calling him a "race-baiting; xenophobic; religious bigot" in 2015) to one of his closest allies in the Senate. In 2020; Graham called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger after the presidential election; Raffensperger later stated that Graham asked him about the possibility of throwing out legally cast ballots. The Fulton County special grand jury recommended indicting Graham; though DA Fani Willis ultimately did not charge him. Graham fought a subpoena from the Georgia grand jury to the U.S. Supreme Court and lost. Graham has been a leading hawk in the Senate; advocating for military intervention throughout his career; including pushing for war with Iran and increased military involvement in Syria. He chairs or serves on key committees including the Senate Judiciary Committee; where he oversaw the controversial confirmations of Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Called Trump a "race-baiting; xenophobic; religious bigot" in 2015 then became one of his closest allies; widely seen as the most dramatic sycophantic transformation in modern politics
Called Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger after 2020 election; Raffensperger said Graham asked about throwing out legally cast ballots; Fulton County grand jury recommended indictment
Fought subpoena from Georgia grand jury investigating 2020 election interference to the U.S. Supreme Court and lost; forced to testify
Oversaw controversial Supreme Court confirmations of Kavanaugh and Barrett as Judiciary Committee chair; reversed his own "no confirmation in election year" rule
Prominent war hawk; advocated for military intervention in Iran; Syria; Libya; and other countries throughout his career
Close relationship with the late John McCain that made his transformation to Trump loyalist particularly striking; Trump had mocked McCain's military service
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
Donald Trump
Transformed from vocal critic to close ally; frequent golf partner and political ally
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- July 9, 1955
- Birthplace
- Central, South Carolina, USA
Education
- •University of South Carolina; B.A. Psychology 1977; J.D. 1981
Key Timeline
July 9, 1955
Born in Central, South Carolina
2002
Elected to U.S. Senate from South Carolina
December 2015
Calls Trump a "race-baiting; xenophobic; religious bigot" during presidential primary
2017
Begins transformation to close Trump ally; becomes frequent golfing partner
November 2020
Calls Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger; allegedly asks about discarding legal ballots
2022
Fights Georgia grand jury subpoena to U.S. Supreme Court; loses; testifies
2023
Fulton County special grand jury recommends indicting Graham; DA Willis does not charge him