On Sunday, FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is assisting local authorities and has deployed all necessary resources following the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), whose preliminary cause of death has been ruled natural.
Kash Patel Says FBI Is Assisting Authorities
Patel said the agency is working alongside local officials after the death of Graham, who died Saturday evening at age 71.
“Senator Lindsey Graham was a devoted public servant, a fierce defender of our nation, and a true patriot who dedicated his life to the people of South Carolina and the United States,” Patel wrote in a post on X.
He added, “Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who knew him during this devastating time. The FBI is assisting local authorities and has made every necessary resource available.”
Senator Lindsey Graham was a devoted public servant, a fierce defender of our nation, and a true patriot who dedicated his life to the people of South Carolina and the United States.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) July 12, 2026
Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who knew him during this…
Graham’s office announced early Sunday that the four-term senator died following a “brief and sudden illness” and asked for privacy for his family.
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Medical Examiner Identifies Preliminary Cause of Death
Later Sunday, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for Washington, D.C., preliminarily determined that Graham died from aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, The Hill reported.
In a joint statement with the Metropolitan Police Department, officials said Graham was pronounced dead at 10:23 p.m. EDT at George Washington University Hospital after emergency responders answered a call for cardiac arrest at his Capitol Hill residence.
Authorities said the preliminary findings indicate a natural cause of death. However, they noted that comprehensive toxicology testing and microscopic tissue analysis are routinely conducted as part of autopsies in the District of Columbia and remain pending.
Trump Says Graham Sounded ‘A Little Tired’
President Donald Trump said he spoke with Graham on Saturday evening after the senator returned from a trip to Ukraine.
“He sounded a little tired, but perfect. But a little bit tired, he had a right to be,” Trump said during an appearance on NBC News’ Meet the Press.
Before returning to Washington, Graham had traveled to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and continued advocating for U.S. support while working with bipartisan lawmakers and the White House on proposed sanctions targeting Russia.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo: Shutterstock/Maxim Elramsisy
