View source for Lindsey Graham

{{Short description|American lawyer and politician (born 1955)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Lindsey Graham
| image               = United_States_Senator_Lindsey_Graham_August_2024.jpg| caption             = Graham in 2024
| office              = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on the Budget|Senate Budget Committee]]
| term_start          = January 3, 2025
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Sheldon Whitehouse]]
| successor           = 
| jr/sr4              = United States Senator
| state4              = [[South Carolina]]
| alongside4          = [[Tim Scott]]
| term_start4         = January 3, 2003
| term_end4           = 
| predecessor4        = [[Strom Thurmond]]
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Committee positions|titlestyle=border: 1px dashed lightgrey;}}
{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| office1             = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]]
| term_start1         = January 3, 2023
| term_end1           = January 3, 2025
| predecessor1        = [[Chuck Grassley]]
| successor1          = [[Dick Durbin]]
| office2             = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on the Budget|Senate Budget Committee]]
| term_start2         = February 3, 2021
| term_end2           = January 3, 2023
| predecessor2        = [[Bernie Sanders]]
| successor2          = [[Chuck Grassley]]
| office3             = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]]
| term_start3         = January 3, 2019
| term_end3           = February 3, 2021
| predecessor3        = [[Chuck Grassley]]
| successor3          = [[Dick Durbin]]
}}
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| state5              = [[South Carolina]]
| district5           = {{ushr|SC|3|3rd}}
| term_start5         = January 3, 1995
| term_end5           = January 3, 2003
| predecessor5        = [[Butler Derrick]]
| successor5          = [[Gresham Barrett]]
| state_house6        = South Carolina
| district6           = 2nd
| term_start6         = January 12, 1993
| term_end6           = January 3, 1995
| predecessor6        = [[Lowell Ross]]
| successor6          = [[Bill Sandifer III]]
| birth_name          = Lindsey Olin Graham
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1955|7|9}}
| birth_place         = [[Central, South Carolina]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| education           = [[University of South Carolina]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| website             = {{ubl |{{url|lgraham.senate.gov|Senate website}} |{{url|lindseygraham.com|Campaign website}}}}
| signature           = Lindsey Graham Signature.svg
| allegiance          = United States
| branch              = {{tree list}}
* [[United States Air Force]]
** [[United States Air Force Reserve Command|Air Force Reserve]]
{{tree list/end}}
| serviceyears        = {{plainlist|
* 1982–1989 (active)
* 1989–1995 (guard)
* 1995–2015 (reserve)
}}
| rank                = [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
| unit                = {{plainlist|
* [[United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps|U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps]]
* [[South Carolina Air National Guard]]
}}
| mawards             = {{ubl |[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] |[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]}}
| module              = {{Listen
|pos         = center
|embed       = yes
|filename    = Lindsey Graham on the links between food insecurity and terrorist recruitment.ogg
|title       = Graham's voice
|type        = speech
|description = Graham on the links between [[food insecurity]] and terrorist recruitment<br/>Recorded May 11, 2022}}
}}
'''Lindsey Olin Graham''' ({{IPAc-en|g|r|æ|m}}; born July 9, 1955) is an American politician and attorney serving as the [[Seniority in the United States Senate|senior]] [[United States Senate|United States senator]] from [[South Carolina]], a seat he has held since 2003. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Graham chaired the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Committee on the Judiciary]] from 2019 to 2021.

Graham served in the [[United States Air Force]] from 1982 to 1988 as a member of the [[Judge Advocate General's Corps]], working as a defense attorney and chief prosecutor in Europe. He later served in the [[Air Force Reserve Command|U.S. Air Force Reserve]] while in Congress. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in 2014 and held the rank of colonel. He did not see combat action during his service.<ref name="Whitlock2015" />

Graham worked as a lawyer in private practice before serving in the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]] from 1993 to 1995 and the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] from 1995 to 2003, representing [[South Carolina's 3rd congressional district]]. In [[2002 United States Senate election in South Carolina|2002]], Graham was elected to the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]]. He was reelected in [[2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina|2008]], [[2014 United States Senate election in South Carolina|2014]], and [[2020 United States Senate election in South Carolina|2020]]. 

A [[Neoconservatism|neoconservative]], Graham is a [[War hawk|defense hawk]] and strong advocate for aggressive [[Interventionism (politics)|interventionist]] foreign policy.<ref name="grahamend" /> Initially, he was known for his willingness to work with Democrats on issues like [[Campaign finance reform in the United States|campaign finance reform]], a ban on [[waterboarding]], [[cap and trade]], [[Immigration reform in the United States|immigration reform]], and judicial nominees.<ref name="facesdown">{{cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Martin |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/lindsey-graham-2014-primary-challenge-91108.html |title=Lindsey Graham faces down primary challenge |work=[[Politico]] |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025408/https://www.politico.com/story/2013/05/lindsey-graham-2014-primary-challenge-091108 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="countmore">{{cite web|first=James|last=Podgers|url=http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/lindsey_graham_qualifications_of_judicial_nominees/ |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham: Qualifications of Judicial Nominees Should Count More Than Politics |work=[[ABA Journal]] |publisher=[[American Bar Association]]|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=August 5, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2014}}</ref><ref name="primaried">{{cite web |first=Harold |last=Maass |url=https://theweek.com/article/index/243989/is-lindsey-graham-going-to-get-primaried |title=Is Lindsey Graham going to get primaried? |work=[[The Week (magazine)|The Week]] |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025410/https://theweek.com/articles/464526/lindsey-graham-going-primaried |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="vstp">{{cite web|first=Linda|last=Killian|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/06/10/lindsey-graham-vs-the-tea-party/|title=Lindsey Graham vs. the Tea Party|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|location=New York City|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=October 11, 2014|archive-date=September 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190929031656/https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2014/06/10/lindsey-graham-vs-the-tea-party/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="uncantor">{{cite web|first=Patrik|last=Jonsson|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/Senate/2014/0611/The-un-Cantor-Sen.-Lindsey-Graham-wins-by-poking-eye-of-tea-party-video|title=The un-Cantor: Sen. Lindsey Graham wins by poking eye of tea party (+video)|work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=October 11, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025408/https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Elections/Senate/2014/0611/The-un-Cantor-Sen.-Lindsey-Graham-wins-by-poking-eye-of-tea-party|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bipartisan">{{cite magazine|first=Alex|last=Altman|url=http://swampland.time.com/2013/11/05/lindsey-graham-the-bipartisan-deal-maker-finds-issues-to-please-gop-base/|title=Lindsey Graham: The Bipartisan Dealmaker Finds Issues to Please GOP Base|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|location=New York City|date=November 5, 2013|access-date=October 11, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025415/https://swampland.time.com/2013/11/05/lindsey-graham-the-bipartisan-deal-maker-finds-issues-to-please-gop-base/|url-status=live}}</ref> He criticized the [[Tea Party movement]], arguing for a more inclusive Republican Party.<ref name="uncantor" /><ref name="wrath">{{cite web|first=Keith|last=Wagstaff|url=https://theweek.com/article/index/248721/can-lindsey-graham-survive-the-tea-partys-wrath|title=Can Lindsey Graham survive the Tea Party's wrath?|work=[[The Week (magazine)|The Week]]|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=October 8, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025413/https://theweek.com/articles/460732/lindsey-graham-survive-tea-partys-wrath|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="manoeuvre">{{cite web|first=Manu|last=Raju|author-link=Manu Raju|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/04/lindsey-graham-south-carolina-tea-party-105928.html|title=How Lindsey Graham outmaneuvered the tea party|work=Politico|date=April 23, 2014|access-date=April 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name="maverick">{{cite news|first=Robert|last=Draper|author-link=Robert Draper|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/magazine/04graham-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|title=Lindsey Graham, This Year's Maverick|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 1, 2010|access-date=October 9, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025412/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/magazine/04graham-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="stomped">{{cite web|first=Molly|last=Ball|author-link=Molly Ball|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/06/how-lindsey-graham-stomped-the-tea-party/372521/?single_page=true|title=How Lindsey Graham Stomped the Tea Party|work=[[The Atlantic (magazine)|The Atlantic]]|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=October 9, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025415/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/06/how-lindsey-graham-stomped-the-tea-party/372521/?single_page=true|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="teflon">{{cite news|first=Patricia|last=Murphy|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/10/lindsey-graham-s-tea-party-teflon.html|title=Lindsey Graham's Tea Party Teflon|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=October 11, 2014}}</ref>

Graham [[Lindsey Graham 2016 presidential campaign|sought the Republican nomination for president]] between June and December 2015, dropping out before the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries|2016 Republican primaries]] began.<ref>{{cite news|first = Alan|last = Rappeport|author-link = Alan Rappeport|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/politics/lindsey-graham-presidential-campaign.html|title = Lindsey Graham Announces Presidential Bid|work = The New York Times|date = June 21, 2015|access-date = June 21, 2015|archive-date = November 17, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025411/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/politics/lindsey-graham-presidential-campaign.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="grahamend">{{cite web|first=Carrie|last=Dann|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/lindsey-graham-ends-presidential-bid-n483786|title= South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham Ends Republican Presidential Bid|work=[[NBC News]]|date=December 21, 2015|access-date=September 28, 2020}}</ref> He was an outspoken critic of [[Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign|Donald Trump's 2016 candidacy]] and repeatedly said he did not support Trump;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/06/07/lindsey_graham_takes_off-ramp_im_not_supporting_mr_trump.html|title=Lindsey Graham Takes The Off-Ramp: "I'm Not Supporting Mr. Trump"|publisher=[[RealClearPolitics]] (citing NBC news)|first=Tim|last=Hains|date=June 7, 2016|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327145953/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/06/07/lindsey_graham_takes_off-ramp_im_not_supporting_mr_trump.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in particular, he took issue with Trump's comments on Graham's close friend [[John McCain]].<ref name="miller2018" /> After a March 2017 meeting with Trump, Graham became a staunch ally of his, often issuing public statements in his defense. His reversal caught both parties by surprise and sparked media speculation.<ref name="miller2018" /><ref name="parker2019">{{cite news|first=Kathleen|last=Parker|author-link=Kathleen Parker|date=January 15, 2019|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-did-they-do-with-lindsey-graham/2019/01/15/c9909e62-1914-11e9-88fe-f9f77a3bcb6c_story.html|title=What did they do with Lindsey Graham?|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025431/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-did-they-do-with-lindsey-graham/2019/01/15/c9909e62-1914-11e9-88fe-f9f77a3bcb6c_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Lindsey Olin Graham was born in [[Central, South Carolina]], where his parents, Millie (Walters) and Florence James "F.J." Graham, ran a restaurant/bar/pool hall/liquor store, the Sanitary Cafe.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Summers|first=Juana|date=June 28, 2015|title=Presidential Aspiration Born From A Modest, And Tragic, Beginning|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/06/28/417837773/presidential-aspiration-born-from-a-modest-and-tragic-beginning|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=NPR|language=en|quote=first lived in a room behind his family's business, the Sanitary Café ...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hawes|first=Jennifer Berry|date=November 6, 2020|title=An unlikely ascent Love, loss, loyalty, law shape his brand of retail politics Last in polls, last in debates. How long does he go on?|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/archives/an-unlikely-ascent-love-loss-loyalty-law-shape-his-brand-of-retail-politics-last-in/article_61319af6-babe-5a4a-a561-ac7b6795b021.html|url-access=limited|access-date=January 7, 2021|website=Post and Courier|language=en|quote=His dad, Florence James Graham...He and his wife Millie ran the bar...}}</ref> His family is of [[Scotch-Irish Americans|Scots-Irish]] descent.<ref name=twang>{{cite news|first=Lloyd|last=Grove|author-link=Lloyd Grove|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/graham100798.htm|title=Lindsey Graham, a Twang of Moderation|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|location=Washington, DC|date=October 7, 1998|access-date=October 9, 2014|archive-date=December 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218062755/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/graham100798.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newspapers.com/clip/24250356/millie_walters_graham_1976_obituary/|title=Millie Walters Graham, 1976, obituary, South Carolina|newspaper=The Greenville News|date=June 11, 1976|page=10|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025415/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24250356/millie-walters-graham-1976-obituary/|url-status=live}}</ref> After graduating from [[D. W. Daniel High School]], Graham became the first member of his family to attend college, and joined the [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps]]. When he was 21, his mother died of [[Hodgkin's lymphoma]], aged 52, and his father died 15 months later of a [[heart attack]], aged 69.<ref name=twang/> Because his then-13-year-old sister was left orphaned, the service allowed Graham to attend the [[University of South Carolina]] in [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]] so he could remain near home as his sister's legal guardian.<ref name=stomped/> During his studies, he became a member of the [[Pi Kappa Phi]] social fraternity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pikapp.org/content.aspx?id=484|title=Notable Pi Kapps|website=pikapp.org|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025420/https://pikapp.org/about/notable-pi-kappa-phis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in [[psychology]] in 1977, and from the University of South Carolina School of Law with a [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] in 1981.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/g000359/|title=Congress Members: Lindsey Graham|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029061328/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/G000359|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Military service==
[[File:Senator becomes military judge.jpg|thumb|right|Graham being robed as a judge for the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, November 2003|upright]]
Upon graduating from the University of South Carolina School of Law, Graham was commissioned as an officer in the [[United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps|Judge Advocate General's Corps]] (JAG Corps) in the [[United States Air Force]] in 1982 and began active duty that year. His duty began with a stint as an Air Force defense attorney, after which he was transferred to [[Rhein-Main Air Base]] in [[Frankfurt]], Germany, where from 1984 to 1988 he was the Air Force's chief prosecutor in Europe. In 1984, as he was defending an Air Force pilot accused of using marijuana, he was featured in an episode of ''[[60 Minutes]]'' that exposed the Air Force's defective drug-testing procedures.<ref name=twang/><ref name=plaintalk>{{cite web |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2004/05/11/plain-talk-from-gop-senator/ |title=Plain talk from GOP senator |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=May 11, 2004 |access-date=October 12, 2014 |archive-date=October 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016190753/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2004-05-11/news/0405110360_1_lindsey-graham-graham-of-south-abuse |url-status=live }}</ref> After his service in Europe, he returned to South Carolina, leaving active duty in 1989<ref name=bio/> and entering private practice as a lawyer.<ref name=twang/> He served as assistant county attorney for [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee County]] from 1988 to 1992 and city attorney for [[Central, South Carolina|Central]] from 1990 to 1994.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 9, 2020 |title=Lindsey Graham Fast Facts |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/10/politics/lindsey-graham-fast-facts |work=CNN |location=Atlanta, GA}}</ref>

[[File:Lt. Gen. Jack Rives pins Col. Lindsey Graham.jpg|thumb|left|Lt. Gen. [[Jack L. Rives]] pins the [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] on [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] Lindsey Graham, April 2009]]
After leaving the Air Force, Graham joined the [[South Carolina Air National Guard]] in 1989, where he served until 1995, then joining the [[Air Force Reserve Command|U.S. Air Force Reserve]].<ref name=bio>{{cite web |url=https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography |title=Biography |website=lgraham.senate.gov |publisher=Office of Senator Lindsey Graham |access-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025419/https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/biography |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the 1990&ndash;1991 [[Gulf War]], Graham was recalled to active duty, serving as a judge advocate at [[McEntire Air National Guard Station]] in [[Eastover, South Carolina]], where he helped brief departing pilots on the [[laws of war]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.experiencefestival.com/lindsey_graham_-_military_servic |title=Enlightenment |publisher=The Experience Festival |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404175839/http://www.experiencefestival.com/lindsey_graham_-_military_servic |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1998, the [[Capitol Hill]] daily newspaper ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'' contended that Graham was describing himself on his website as an [[Operation Desert Shield]] and [[Operation Desert Storm|Desert Storm]] veteran. Graham responded: "I have not told anybody I'm a combatant. I'm not a war hero, and never said I was. ... If I have lied about my military record, I'm not fit to serve in Congress", further noting that he "never deployed".<ref>{{cite news|title=S.C. Rep. Gulf War Past Questioned|url=https://apnews.com/a1fcceda5e00bfa840afe5a82260c2ef|work=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=August 10, 2014|date=February 19, 1998|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025418/https://apnews.com/a1fcceda5e00bfa840afe5a82260c2ef|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Pareene|first1=Alex|author-link=Alex Pareene|title=Lindsey Graham's war lie: Bigger than Richard Blumenthal's|url=http://www.salon.com/2010/05/20/lindsey_graham_war_liar/|access-date=June 6, 2014|work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|date=May 20, 2010|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025412/https://www.salon.com/2010/05/20/lindsey_graham_war_liar/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, Graham was promoted to [[Lieutenant Colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]]. In 2004, he received his promotion to [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in the U.S. Air Force Reserve at a [[White House]] ceremony officiated by President [[George W. Bush]].<ref name="Whitlock2015"/> That year, a lower court determined that Graham's service as a military judge while a sitting member of the Senate was acceptable. In 2006, the [[Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces]] set aside the lower court's ruling after concluding it was improper for Graham to serve as a military judge.<ref>60 M.J. 781 (C.A.A.F. 2004), as referenced in {{cite court |litigants=United States v. Lane |url=http://www.armfor.uscourts.gov/newcaaf/opinions/2006Term/05-0260.pdf |date=September 20, 2006 |court=Armed Forces App. |opinion=05-0260 }}</ref>

In 2007, Graham served in [[Iraq]] as a reservist on active duty for a short period in April and for two weeks in August, where he worked on detainee and rule-of-law issues.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/27/AR2007082701919.html|title=After Tour of Duty in Iraq, Graham Backs 'Surge'|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Robin|last=Wright|author-link=Robin Wright (author)|date=August 28, 2007|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025431/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/27/AR2007082701919.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also served in [[Afghanistan]] during the August 2009 Senate recess.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Thomas L. |last=Day |title=Military Notebook: Robins to hold birthday bash for Air Force |url=http://www.macon.com/197/story/834376.html |newspaper=[[The Sun News]] |date=September 6, 2009 |access-date=September 7, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914055345/http://www.macon.com/197/story/834376.html |archive-date=September 14, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was then assigned as a senior instructor at the [[Judge Advocate General]]'s School, though he never went.<ref name="Whitlock2015"/>

In 2014, Graham received a [[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star medal]] for meritorious service as a senior legal adviser to the Air Force in Iraq and Afghanistan from August 2009 to July 2014, overseeing the detention of military prisoners.<ref name="npr2015">{{cite news |first=Craig |last=Whitlock |title=5 Things You Should Know About Lindsey Graham |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/05/31/410358726/5-things-you-should-know-about-lindsey-graham |work=[[NPR]] |date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-date=July 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704143440/http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/05/31/410358726/5-things-you-should-know-about-lindsey-graham |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Whitlock2015">{{cite news|first=Craig|last=Whitlock|author-link=Craig Whitlock|title=Sen. Graham moved up in Air Force Reserve ranks despite light duties|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/for-lindsey-graham-years-of-light-duty-as-a-lawmaker-in-the-air-reserve/2015/08/02/c9beb9fc-3545-11e5-adf6-7227f3b7b338_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 2, 2015|access-date=June 12, 2017|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025427/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/for-lindsey-graham-years-of-light-duty-as-a-lawmaker-in-the-air-reserve/2015/08/02/c9beb9fc-3545-11e5-adf6-7227f3b7b338_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, he retired at his last rank of colonel from the Air Force with over 33 total years of service, after reaching the statutory retirement age of 60 for his rank.<ref>{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Bradner |title=Lindsey Graham retires from Air Force ahead of expected White House run |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/28/politics/lindsey-graham-retires-from-air-force/index.html |work=CNN|date=May 30, 2015 |access-date=May 30, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025425/https://www.cnn.com/2015/05/28/politics/lindsey-graham-retires-from-air-force/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Graham earned points toward a military pension but was unpaid as an Air Force officer while a congressman and senator as he was ineligible for a military paycheck during his time in federal government service.<ref name="Whitlock2015"/>

==South Carolina House of Representatives==
In 1992, Graham was elected to the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]] from the 2nd district, in Oconee County. He defeated Democratic incumbent [[Lowell W. Ross]] by 60% to 40% and served one term, from 1993 to 1995.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://scvotes.gov/files/ElectionReports/Election_Report_1992-1993.pdf |title=South Carolina Election Commission Annual Report 1992-1993 |publisher=South Carolina Election Commission |year=1993 |location=Columbia |pages=96|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602134746/https://scvotes.gov/files/ElectionReports/Election_Report_1992-1993.pdf |archive-date=June 2, 2022 }}</ref>

==U.S. House of Representatives==

===Elections===
In 1994, 20-year incumbent Democratic U.S. congressman [[Butler Derrick]] of South Carolina's northwestern-based [[South Carolina's 3rd congressional district|3rd congressional district]] decided to retire. Graham ran to succeed him and, with Republican U.S. senator [[Strom Thurmond]] campaigning on his behalf, won the Republican primary with 52% of the vote, defeating Bob Cantrell (33%) and Ed Allgood (15%).<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://scvotes.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Election_Report_1994-1995.pdf |title=Election Report 1994-1995 |publisher=South Carolina Election Commission |year=1995 |location=Columbia |pages= |access-date=April 28, 2024}}</ref>{{Rp|page=18}} In the general election, Graham defeated Democratic State Senator James Bryan Jr., 60% to 40%.<ref name=":0" />{{Rp|page=29}} As a part of that year's [[Republican Revolution]], Graham became the first Republican to represent the district since 1877.<ref name=maverick/>

In 1996, he was challenged by Debbie Dorn, the niece of Butler Derrick and daughter of Derrick's predecessor, 13-term Democratic congressman [[William Jennings Bryan Dorn]]. Graham was reelected, defeating Dorn 60% to 40%.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://scvotes.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Election_Report_1995-1996.pdf |title=South Carolina Election Report 1995-1996 |publisher=South Carolina Election Commission |year=1997 |location=Columbia |page=40 |access-date=April 28, 2024}}</ref> In 1998, he was reelected to a third term unopposed.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://scvotes.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Election_Report_1997-1998.pdf |title=South Carolina Election Report 1997 & 1998 |publisher=South Carolina Election Commission |year=1999 |location=Columbia |page=46 |access-date=April 28, 2024}}</ref> In 2000, he was reelected to a fourth term, defeating Democratic nominee George Brightharp, 68% to 30%.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://scvotes.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Election_Report_2000.pdf |title=South Carolina Election Report 2000 |publisher=South Carolina Election Commission |year=2001 |location=Columbia |page=37 |access-date=April 28, 2024}}</ref>

===Tenure===
{{expand section|date=March 2021}}
In 1997, Graham took part in [[Newt Gingrich#Leadership challenge|a leadership challenge]] against [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|House Speaker]] [[Newt Gingrich]].<ref name=twang/>

[[File:December 18 1998 house session c span program.136261.MP4D20.webm|thumb|start=02:31:36|thumbtime=02:32:21|Graham speaking during Clinton's impeachment on December 18, 1998, and also discussing the grounds for impeachment of [[Richard Nixon]] and other presidents]]

In November 1997, Graham was one of 18 House Republicans to co-sponsor [[1997 impeachment resolution by Bob Barr|a resolution]] by [[Bob Barr]] that sought to launch an [[Impeachment inquiry in the United States|impeachment inquiry]] into President [[Bill Clinton]].<ref name="pace1">{{cite web |last1=Pace |first1=David |title=17 in House seek probe to impeach president |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/498562556 |website=Newspapers.com |publisher=The Record | agency= The Associated Press |access-date=March 4, 2021 |language=en |date=November 6, 1997 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="hutcheson"/> The resolution did not specify any charges or allegations.<ref name="hutcheson">{{cite web |last1=Hutcheson |first1=Ron |title=Some House Republicans can't wait for elections |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/197738955 |website=Newspapers.com |publisher=Asheville Citizen-Times |agency= Knight-Rider Newspapers |language=en |url-access=subscription |date=November 17, 1997}}</ref> This was an early effort to [[Federal impeachment in the United States|impeach]] Clinton, predating the eruption of the [[Clinton–Lewinsky scandal]]. The eruption of that scandal ultimately led to a more serious effort to impeach Clinton in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barkham |first1=Patrick |title=Clinton impeachment timeline |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/1998/nov/18/clinton.usa |website=The Guardian |access-date=March 6, 2021 |language=en |date=November 18, 1998}}</ref> On October 8, 1998, Graham voted in favor of legislation to open [[Impeachment inquiry against Bill Clinton|an impeachment inquiry]].<ref name=stomped/><ref>{{cite web |title=Roll Call 498 Roll Call 498, Bill Number: H. Res. 581, 105th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/1998498 |website=clerk.house.gov |publisher=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=March 1, 2021 |language=en |date=October 8, 1998}}</ref> He was a member of the [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|Judiciary Committee]], which conducted the inquiry.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Education Of Senator Lindsey Graham|url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2005-02-27/the-education-of-senator-lindsey-graham|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022083915/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2005-02-27/the-education-of-senator-lindsey-graham|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|access-date=June 6, 2014|work=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|date=February 27, 2005}}</ref> In both the Judiciary Committee vote on forwarding proposed [[articles of impeachment]], and the full House vote on the proposed articles of impeachment, Graham voted for three of the four proposed articles of impeachment. He voted against the second count of perjury in the [[Paula Jones]] case.<ref name="RC546">{{cite web |title=Roll Call 546 Roll Call 546, Bill Number: H. Res. 611, 105th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/1998546 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=March 6, 2021 |language=en |date=December 19, 1998}}</ref><ref name="RC545">{{cite web |title=Roll Call 545 Roll Call 545, Bill Number: H. Res. 611, 105th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/1998545 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=March 6, 2021 |language=en |date=December 19, 1998}}</ref><ref name="RC544">{{cite web |title=Roll Call 544 Roll Call 544, Bill Number: H. Res. 611, 105th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/1998544 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=March 6, 2021 |language=en |date=December 19, 1998}}</ref><ref name="RC543">{{cite web |title=Roll Call 543, Bill Number: H. Res. 611, 105th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/1998543 |website=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives |access-date=March 6, 2021 |language=en |date=December 19, 1998}}</ref> This made him the only Republican on the Judiciary Committee to vote against any of the proposed articles of impeachment.<ref name=stomped/> During the inquiry, Graham asked, "Is this [[Watergate scandal|Watergate]] or [[Peyton Place (TV series)|Peyton Place]]?"<ref name=stomped/><ref name=twang/> The House [[Impeachment of Bill Clinton|passed two of the impeachment articles]].<ref name="RC546"/><ref name="RC545"/><ref name="RC544"/><ref name="RC543"/> Graham served as a [[House impeachment manager]] in [[Impeachment trial of Bill Clinton|the impeachment trial]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Prosecution Who's Who |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/prosecution.htm |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=February 28, 2021 |date=January 14, 1999}}</ref>

====Committee assignments====
{{BLP sources section|date=March 2021}}
During his service in the House, Graham served on the following committees:
* [[United States House Committee on International Relations|Committee on International Relations]] (1995–1998)
* [[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|Committee on Education and the Workforce]] (1995–2002)
* [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]] (1997–2002)
* [[United States House Committee on Armed Services|Committee on Armed Services]] (1999–2002)

==U.S. Senate==
===Elections===
====2002====
{{Main|2002 United States Senate election in South Carolina}} 
In 2002, longtime U.S. senator [[Strom Thurmond]] decided to retire. Graham ran to succeed him and won the Republican primary unopposed. In the general election, he defeated Democratic nominee [[Alex Sanders (politician)|Alex Sanders]], the former president of the [[College of Charleston]] and former chief judge of the [[South Carolina Court of Appeals]], 600,010 votes (54%) to 487,359 (44%).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Trandahl |first=Jeff |url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/ |title=Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002 |publisher=United States House of Representatives |year=2003 |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=42}}</ref> Graham thus became South Carolina's first new U.S. senator since [[Fritz Hollings]] in 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/8562/13358/en/summary.html|title=SC – Election Results|work=enr-scvotes.org|access-date=November 7, 2008|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025436/https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/8562/15723/en/summary.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


====2008====
{{Main|2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina}}
When Graham ran for a second term in 2008, he was challenged in the Republican primary by National Executive Committeeman of the [[South Carolina Republican Party]], [[Buddy Witherspoon]]. Graham defeated him by 186,398 votes (66.82%) to 92,547 (33.18%), winning all but one of South Carolina's 46 counties.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2008 |title=Statewide Results - 2008 Republican and Democratic Primary |url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/4186/7382/en/summary.html |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=South Carolina State Election Commission}}</ref> He then defeated the Democratic nominee, pilot and engineer [[Bob Conley (politician)|Bob Conley]], in the general election, 1,076,534 votes (57.53%) to 790,621 (42.25%), having outspent Conley by $6.6 million to $15,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=SCS2&cycle=2008 |title=South Carolina Senate 2008 Race |website=OpenSecrets.org |publisher=[[OpenSecrets]] |access-date=October 9, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025421/http://www.opensecrets.org/races//summary?id=SCS2&cycle=2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>


====2014====
{{Main|2014 United States Senate election in South Carolina}}

Of all the Republican senators up for reelection in 2014, Graham was considered one of the most vulnerable to a primary challenge, largely due to his low approval ratings and reputation for working with and compromising with Democrats.<ref name=weakfield>{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Kludt |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/lindsey-graham-faces-big-weak-field-challengers-n74321 |title=Lindsey Graham Faces Big – But Weak – Field of Challengers |work=[[NBC News]] |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=April 24, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Kludt |url=http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/poll-lindsey-graham-s-approval-rating-tumbles-in-s-c |title=Poll: Lindsey Graham's Approval Rating Tumbles In S.C |work=[[Talking Points Memo]] |date=October 30, 2013 |access-date=February 14, 2014 |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911004308/http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/poll-lindsey-graham-s-approval-rating-tumbles-in-s-c |url-status=live }}</ref> He expected a primary challenge from conservative activists, including the [[Tea Party movement]],<ref name=thestate>{{cite web |last=Rosen |first=James |author-link=James Rosen (author) |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/article14399300.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210081911/https://www.thestate.com/news/article14399300.html |work=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]] |title=Graham: 'I expect' a primary challenge |date=February 19, 2012 |access-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-date=February 10, 2016}}</ref> and [[Chris Chocola]], President of the [[Club for Growth]], indicated that his organization would support a primary challenge if an acceptable standard-bearer emerged.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Sean |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/09/20/lindsey-graham-2014-target/ |title=Lindsey Graham, 2014 target? |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 20, 2012 |access-date=April 24, 2014 |archive-date=May 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514052517/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/09/20/lindsey-graham-2014-target/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

But a serious challenger to Graham failed to emerge and he was widely viewed as likely to win,<ref name=vstp/><ref name=teflon/><ref name=weakfield/> which has been ascribed to his "deft maneuvering" and "aggressive" response to the challenge. He befriended potential opponents from the state's congressional delegation and helped them with fundraising and securing their preferred committee assignments; he assembled a "daunting multi-million-dollar political operation" dubbed the "Graham [[political machine|machine]]" that built six regional offices across the state and enlisted the support of thousands of paid staffers and volunteers, including over 5,000 [[precinct captain]]s; he assembled a "staggering" campaign war chest and "blanketed" the state with positive ads; he focused on constituent services and local issues; and he refused to "pander" to the Tea Party supporters, instead confronting them head-on, arguing that the Republican Party needed to be more inclusive.<ref name=manoeuvre/><ref name=maverick/><ref name=stomped/><ref name=teflon/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/11/us/politics/lindsey-graham-poised-to-hold-off-tea-party-challenge.html|title=In South Carolina, Graham Prevails Without a Runoff|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=July 17, 2014|work=The New York Times|first=Jonathan|last=Martin|author-link=Jonathan Martin (journalist)|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025423/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/11/us/politics/lindsey-graham-poised-to-hold-off-tea-party-challenge.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the run-up to the Republican primary, Graham's approval rating improved. According to a February 2013 Winthrop poll, he had a 59% positive rating among likely Republican voters.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clement|first1=Scott|title=Poll: Lindsey Graham trouncing crowded primary field|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/02/26/poll-lindsey-graham-trouncing-crowded-primary-field/|access-date=August 13, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 26, 2014|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025433/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2014/02/26/poll-lindsey-graham-trouncing-crowded-primary-field/?arc404=true|url-status=live}}</ref> Graham won the June 10 primary with 178,833 votes (56.42%). His nearest challenger, State Senator [[Lee Bright]], received 48,904 (15.4%).<ref>{{cite news |title=South Carolina Primary Election Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2014/results/primaries/south-carolina |work=The New York Times |access-date=November 17, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025426/https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2014/results/primaries/south-carolina |url-status=live }}</ref>

Graham won the general election, defeating the Democratic nominee, State Senator [[Brad Hutto]], 54% to 39%. Independent [[Thomas Ravenel]] (a former Republican State Treasurer) and Libertarian Victor Kocher received 3.8% and 2.7% of the vote, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/53424/149231/en/summary.html#|title=SC – Election Results|work=enr-scvotes.org}}</ref>


====2020====
{{Main|2020 United States Senate election in South Carolina}}
Democrat [[Jaime Harrison]] challenged Graham in the 2020 Senate election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-tied-democrat-south-carolina-senate-challenger-jaime-harrison-poll-1477336|title=Lindsey Graham's Democratic Challenger Nearly Tied in Heavily-Republican South Carolina, Poll Shows|first=Benjamin|last=Fearnow|date=December 15, 2019|work=[[Newsweek]]|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025422/https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-tied-democrat-south-carolina-senate-challenger-jaime-harrison-poll-1477336|url-status=live}}</ref> The race was unexpectedly competitive, with many polls in the last few months of the race showing it as very close. Harrison also had record fundraising numbers. Despite this, Graham defeated Harrison by more than ten percentage points, 54.4% to 44.2%, in the November 3 general election.<ref>[https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/03/south-carolina-senate-election-results-2020-433581 Graham fends off Harrison in South Carolina Senate race] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025426/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/03/south-carolina-senate-election-results-2020-433581 |date=November 17, 2020 }}, ''[[Politico]]'', November 3, 2020.</ref>


==== 2026 ====
{{Main article|2026 United States Senate election in South Carolina}}
On January 14, 2025, Graham announced lead officials for his 2026 reelection campaign, including the former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party and Governor [[Henry McMaster]]'s campaign manager.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connaughton |first=Kevin |date=January 14, 2025 |title=Lindsey Graham announces campaign team, funding for 2026 re-election bid |url=https://www.wistv.com/2025/01/14/lindsey-graham-announces-campaign-team-funding-2026-re-election-bid/ |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=www.wistv.com |language=en}}</ref> He reported $15.6 million in campaign fundraising. 

On March 26, 2025, it was reported that President [[Donald Trump]] endorsed Graham.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nitzberg |first=Alex |date=March 27, 2025 |title=Trump endorses Sen. Lindsey Graham for re-election: 'HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-endorses-sen-lindsey-graham-re-election-he-not-let-you-down |access-date=April 5, 2025 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> 

===Committee assignments===
In November 2018, Senator [[Chuck Grassley]], chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that he would become chair of the [[Senate Finance Committee]], and that Graham would take his place as chair of the Judiciary Committee, pending his formal selection by colleagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/16/lindsey-graham-poised-become-judiciary-chairman-ch/|title=Lindsey Graham poised to become Judiciary chairman; Chuck Grassley moves to Finance|work=[[The Washington Times]]|first1=Alex|last1=Swoyer|first2=Stephen|last2=Dinan|date=November 16, 2018|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025426/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/16/lindsey-graham-poised-become-judiciary-chairman-ch/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Merlino |first=John J. |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CPUB-118spub3/pdf/GPO-CPUB-118spub3.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205132428/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CPUB-118spub3/pdf/GPO-CPUB-118spub3.pdf |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |access-date=December 5, 2023 |publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senate: Committees |url=https://www.senate.gov/committees/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205132738/https://www.senate.gov/committees/ |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |access-date=December 5, 2023 |website=www.senate.gov}}</ref>
[[File:President George W. Bush Visits Charleston AFB.jpg|thumb|right|Graham and [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] visit [[Charleston Air Force Base]] in 2007]]
[[File:U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Senators Joni Ernst, Daniel Sullivan, John McCain, Tom Cotton, Lindsey Graham, and Cory Gardner attending the 2016 International Institute for Strategic Studies Asia Security Summit in Singapore.jpg|thumb|upright=1.36|U.S. secretary of defense [[Ash Carter]] and senators [[Joni Ernst]], [[Dan Sullivan (U.S. Senator)|Dan Sullivan]], [[John McCain]], [[Tom Cotton]], Lindsey Graham, and [[Cory Gardner]] attending the 2016 [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] Asia Security Summit in Singapore]]

====Current====
* [[United States Senate Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]]
** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies]]
** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense|Subcommittee on Defense]]
** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development|Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development]]
** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies]]
** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs|Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs]] (former ranking member)
** [[United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies|Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works|Committee on Environment and Public Works]]
** [[United States Senate Environment Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice and Regulatory Oversight|Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice and Regulatory Oversight]]
** [[United States Senate Environment Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety|Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety]]
** [[United States Senate Environment Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure|Transportation and Infrastructure]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on the Budget|Committee on the Budget]] (chairman, 2025–present; ranking member, 2021–2023)
* [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]] (chairman, 2019–2021; ranking member, 2023–2025)
**[[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights|Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights]]
** [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights|Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights]]
** [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism|Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism]] 
** [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law|Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law]]

====Previous====
* [[United States Senate Committee on Armed Services|Committee on Armed Services]] (2003–2019)
* [[United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions|Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions]] (2003–2005)
* [[United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry|Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry]] (2007–2009)
* [[United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence|Select Committee on Intelligence]] (2007–2009)
* [[United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs|Committee on Veterans' Affairs]] (2007–2011)
* [[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs]] (2009–2011)
* [[United States Senate Special Committee on Aging|Special Committee on Aging]] (2009–2013)
* [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Committee on Foreign Relations]] (2019–2021)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maplight.org/us-congress/legislator/569-lindsey-graham |title=Lindsey Graham Republican (Elected 2003), SC Senate district |work=[[MapLight]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025452/http://maplight.org/data/passthrough/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Caucus memberships===
* [[Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the Caucus on U.S. - Türkiye Relations & Turkish Americans|author=|url=https://www.tc-america.org/in-congress/caucus.htm|format=|publisher=Turkish Coalition of America|date=|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref>
* [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus|International Conservation Caucus]]
* Senate National Guard Caucus (Co-chair)
* Sportsmen's Caucus
* [[Senate Oceans Caucus]]
* [[Senate Taiwan Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Senate Taiwan Caucus 118th Congress (2023-2024)|author=|url=https://fapa.org/senate-taiwan-caucus/|format=|publisher=Formosan Association for Public Affairs|date=February 5, 2004|accessdate=March 25, 2025}}</ref>

Graham is a member of the board of directors of the [[International Republican Institute]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iri.org/learn-more-about-iri/board-directors-and-officers|title=BOARD OF DIRECTORS|website=iri.org|publisher=[[International Republican Institute]]|access-date=July 16, 2010|archive-date=April 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100428062156/http://www.iri.org/learn-more-about-iri/board-directors-and-officers|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Relationship with Donald Trump ===

[[File:President Trump Welcomes the Clemson Tigers to the White House (32881336088).jpg|thumb|Graham and [[Donald Trump]] in January 2019]]

In July 2015, when Graham was a presidential candidate, he called [[Donald Trump]], then another presidential candidate, a "jackass" for saying that Graham's close friend, Senator [[John McCain]], was "not a war hero." Trump reacted by calling Graham an "idiot" and revealing Graham's personal cellphone number at a campaign rally, asking people to call Graham.<ref name="cell">{{cite web |last1=Moody |first1=Chris |title=Donald Trump gave out Lindsey Graham's personal cell number to America |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/21/politics/donald-trump-lindsey-graham-cell-phone/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=July 22, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025430/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/21/politics/donald-trump-lindsey-graham-cell-phone/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2015, Trump, the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States. Graham, who had very little support as a presidential candidate, responded: "He's a race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot ... He doesn't represent my [Republican] party ... I don't think he has a clue about anything ... He is empowering radical Islam ... You know how you make America great again? Tell Donald Trump to go to hell." He added, "I'd rather lose without Donald Trump than try to win with him."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kopan |first1=Tal |author-link=Tal Kopan |title=Lindsey Graham: 'Tell Donald Trump to go to hell' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/08/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-go-to-hell-ted-cruz/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719020927/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/08/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-go-to-hell-ted-cruz/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2016 Graham tweeted, "If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed...and we will deserve it."<ref>{{cite news |title=Graham calls Biden 'lawfully' elected, says 'enough is enough' following breach of Capitol |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/graham-calls-biden-lawfully-elected-says-enough-is-enough-following-breach-of-capitol |agency=Fox News |date=January 8, 2021}} (erroneously says [https://twitter.com/lindseygrahamsc/status/727604522156228608?lang=en the tweet] was in 2015).</ref>

In June 2016, after Trump criticized a judge of Mexican heritage, implying he could be biased, Graham said to CNN: "I don't think [Trump is] racist but he's playing the race card ... I think it's very un-American ... If he continues this line of attack then I think people really need to reconsider the future of the [Republican] party." Graham told ''The New York Times'' that that incident "is probably it" for anyone looking to withdraw their support of Trump: "There'll come a time when the love of country will trump hatred of Hillary Clinton", the Democratic nominee for president.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raju |first1=Manu |last2=Scott |first2=Eugene |last3=Walsh |first3=Deirdre |title=Graham: Trump's judge comments 'un-American' |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/07/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=June 7, 2016 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025424/https://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/07/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the November presidential election, Graham did not vote for Trump, saying, "I couldn't go where Donald Trump wanted to take the USA & GOP." He voted for independent candidate [[Evan McMullin]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Amy |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham: 'I voted Evan McMullin for president' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016/live-updates/general-election/real-time-updates-on-the-2016-election-voting-and-race-results/sen-lindsey-graham-i-voted-evan-mcmullin-for-president/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=November 9, 2019 |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808074651/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016/live-updates/general-election/real-time-updates-on-the-2016-election-voting-and-race-results/sen-lindsey-graham-i-voted-evan-mcmullin-for-president/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2017, Graham held a meeting with Trump. Graham said that the meeting went so well that he passed his new phone number to Trump, in reference to their 2015 conflict.<ref name="miller2018">{{cite news|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/09/what-happened-to-lindsey-graham.html|title=The "Little Jerk" Once defined by his loathing for Trump, Lindsey Graham is now all-in for the president. Why?|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|first=Lisa|last=Miller|author-link=Lisa Miller (journalist)|date=September 16, 2018|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025422/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/09/what-happened-to-lindsey-graham.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Quigley |first1=Aidan |title=Graham: I gave my new phone number to Trump |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-cellphone-235778 |website=[[Politico]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=July 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025449/https://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-cellphone-235778 |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2017, Graham and Trump played golf together on multiple occasions, with Graham praising the first outing.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Feit |first1=Noah |title=Graham had such a good time golfing with Trump, they played again Saturday |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article178935881.html |website=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=October 14, 2017 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025448/https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/article178935881.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2017, Graham criticized the media's reporting on Trump: "What concerns me about the American press is this endless, endless attempt to label the guy some kind of kook not fit to be president." (In February 2016, Graham said of Trump: "I think he's a kook. I think he's crazy. I think he's unfit for office.")<ref name=embracing/><ref name=kook>{{cite web |last1=Shugerman |first1=Emily |title=Senior Republican's attack on the media's portrayal of Trump massively backfires |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-media-attack-lindsey-graham-kook-unfit-office-video-backfires-a8087796.html |work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=December 1, 2017 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025430/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-media-attack-lindsey-graham-kook-unfit-office-video-backfires-a8087796.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2018, Graham said that he would support Trump's reelection in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bryd |first1=Caitlin |title=Lindsey Graham and Henry McMaster promise to back Trump in 2020 bid |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/lindsey-graham-and-henry-mcmaster-promise-to-back-trump-in/article_82e28d4c-43e8-11e8-80c5-6705797c556d.html |website=[[The Post and Courier]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=April 19, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025442/https://www.postandcourier.com/politics/lindsey-graham-and-henry-mcmaster-promise-to-back-trump-in/article_82e28d4c-43e8-11e8-80c5-6705797c556d.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2019, Graham said that Republicans must support Trump's policies: "If we undercut the president, that's the end of his presidency and the end of our party."<ref>{{cite web |last1=McLeod |first1=Paul |title=What The Hell Happened To Lindsey Graham? |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/paulmcleod/lindsey-graham-bipartisan-what-happened |website=[[BuzzFeed News]] |date=January 15, 2019 |access-date=July 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025429/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/paulmcleod/lindsey-graham-bipartisan-what-happened |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Lindsey Graham Joins President Donald Trump for Swearing-In of Recently Confirmed Attorney General William Barr.jpg|thumb|Graham joins President [[Donald Trump]] for swearing-in of recently confirmed Attorney General [[William Barr]] on February 14, 2019]]
In February 2019 [[Mark Leibovich]] interviewed Graham for ''[[The New York Times Magazine]]''. He asked Graham how he became a prominent Trump supporter. Graham responded that he was attempting "to be relevant": "I've got an opportunity up here working with the president to get some really good outcomes for the country ... I have never been called this much by a president in my life ... He's asked me to do some things, and I've asked him to do some things in return." Graham said he had been gaining influence with Trump and was attempting to enter Trump's inner circle, where he would reach a level of influence on par with [[Melania Trump]], [[Ivanka Trump]] and [[Jared Kushner]]. He said that he had had a "political marriage" with John McCain, but as for his relationship with Trump: "I personally like him. We play golf. He's very nice to me." Graham also said that a good relationship with Trump would help his prospects of reelection to the Senate in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leibovich |first1=Mark |author-link=Mark Leibovich |title=How Lindsey Graham Went From Trump Skeptic to Trump Sidekick |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/25/magazine/lindsey-graham-what-happened-trump.html |website=[[The New York Times Magazine]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=February 25, 2019 |archive-date=June 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606145109/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/25/magazine/lindsey-graham-what-happened-trump.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Seven months after the death of McCain, one of Graham's "dearest friends",<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-storied-friendship-of-john-mccain-and-lindsey-graham/ |title=The lasting friendship of John McCain and Lindsey Graham |date=August 25, 2018 |work=[[CBS News]] |first=Kathryn |last=Watson |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025427/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-storied-friendship-of-john-mccain-and-lindsey-graham/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Trump repeatedly criticized McCain. Graham was then criticized for not standing up for McCain. Graham responded, "To all those people who bring up this narrative, you just hate Trump ... You're not offended about me and McCain; you're trying to use me to get to Trump ... I'm not into this idea that the only way to honor John McCain is to trash out Trump." He also said, "The bottom line here is I'm going to help President Trump."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zhao |first1=Christina |title=Lindsey Graham says people angry over Trump's McCain attacks 'don't really care:' 'You just hate Trump' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/lindsay-graham-says-people-angry-over-trumps-mccain-attacks-dont-really-care-1377523 |website=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=March 27, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025456/https://www.newsweek.com/lindsay-graham-says-people-angry-over-trumps-mccain-attacks-dont-really-care-1377523 |url-status=live }}</ref> McCain had banned Trump from his funeral. Trump's daughter Ivanka attended his funeral, reportedly at the invitation of Graham, who had reportedly gotten McCain's wife's permission.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Katie |title=Washington Mourned John McCain. President Trump Played Golf. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/01/us/politics/trump-john-mccain.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=September 1, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025435/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/01/us/politics/trump-john-mccain.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Graham, Trump called him after he delivered an emotional farewell to McCain on the Senate floor, telling him he "did right by his friend."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/29/politics/lindsey-graham-trump-john-mccain-cnntv/index.html|title=Graham says Trump called him after McCain tribute speech|first=Veronica|last=Stracqualursi|website=CNN|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025425/https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/29/politics/lindsey-graham-trump-john-mccain-cnntv/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 14, 2019, Graham came under scrutiny, including from Senator [[Joe Manchin]], after encouraging [[Donald Trump Jr.]] to ignore a subpoena delivered by the [[United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence|Senate Intelligence Committee]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2019/05/14/lindsey-graham-advises-donald-trump-jr-ignore-senate-subpoena/3664179002/|title='This is not the Lindsey I know': Graham takes heat for advising Trump Jr. to ignore subpoena|work=[[USA Today]]|first=William|last=Cummings|date=May 14, 2019|access-date=May 14, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025430/https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/3664179002|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2019, Graham said he did not think Trump was racist and that he did not think that Trump's statements that certain Democratic congresswomen should "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came" were racist. Graham said, "I don't think a Somali refugee embracing Trump would be asked to go back. If you're racist, you want everybody to go back because they are black or Muslim."<ref name=embracing>{{cite web |last1=Kwong |first1=Jessica |title=Lindsey Graham says Donald Trump's not racist, but called him a 'race-baiting bigot' in 2015 |url=https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-trump-not-racist-tweets-1450060 |website=[[Newsweek]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=July 18, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025432/https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-trump-not-racist-tweets-1450060 |url-status=live }}</ref> Earlier in August 2018, ''The Washington Post'' reported that Graham had said, "I have never heard him make a single racist statement. Not even close."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gearan |first1=Anne |last2=Kim |first2=Seung Min |last3=Dawsey |first3=Josh |author-link3=Josh Dawsey |title=Trump condemns 'all types of racism' after a week of racially tinged remarks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-condemns-all-types-of-racism-after-a-week-of-racially-tinged-remarks/2018/08/11/867211a6-9ce6-11e8-8d5e-c6c594024954_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=July 19, 2019 |date=August 11, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025446/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-condemns-all-types-of-racism-after-a-week-of-racially-tinged-remarks/2018/08/11/867211a6-9ce6-11e8-8d5e-c6c594024954_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 8, 2019, during an interview with [[Jonathan Swan]] of [[Axios (website)|Axios]], Graham condemned Trump's announcement of an intention to withdraw U.S. troops from northern Syria, saying that Trump was putting the nation and his presidency at risk, and that it was without the support of key national security advisers.<ref>{{cite web|author-link=Michael Allen (journalist)|last=Allen|first=Mike|url=https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-99f35959-d597-4465-9d38-2d6d1ab7ea3b.html|title=Lindsey Graham on Trump: "He's putting the nation at risk"|work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]]|date=October 9, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025500/https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-am-99f35959-d597-4465-9d38-2d6d1ab7ea3b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Media focused on Graham's reversals and Trump's apparent lack of appreciation for his advice.<ref>{{cite web|author-link=Charlie Sykes|last=Sykes|first=Charles|url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/10/07/trump-lindsey-graham-syria-kurds-turkey-229541/|title=The Humiliation of Lindsey Graham|work=[[Politico]]|date=October 7, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025433/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/10/07/trump-lindsey-graham-syria-kurds-turkey-229541|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2019, as two articles of impeachment against Trump moved to a vote before the full House and referral to the Senate for trial, Graham said, "I am trying to give a pretty clear signal I have made up my mind. I'm not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here", adding, "this thing will come to the Senate, and it will die quickly, and I will do everything I can to make it die quickly."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/14/politics/lindsey-graham-trump-impeachment-trial/index.html|title='I'm not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here': Graham predicts Trump impeachment will 'die quickly' in Senate|first=Veronica|last=Stracqualursi|website=CNN|date=December 14, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025432/https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/14/politics/lindsey-graham-trump-impeachment-trial/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also announced that he held "disdain for the accusations and the process. So I don't need any witnesses" for the Senate trial.<ref>{{cite news |title=Republican tactics spark Democratic claims that impeachment trial is rigged |url=https://m.cnn.com/en/article/h_b1f35de0b1e32d3a5ef33027af6538eb |access-date=December 17, 2019 |work=[[CNN]] |date=December 16, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025435/https://lite.cnn.com/en/article/h_b1f35de0b1e32d3a5ef33027af6538eb |url-status=live }}</ref> In response, Democrats referenced statements Graham made during the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton, including his citation of [[Richard Nixon]] as proof that a president who ignored a subpoena should be impeached for taking "the power from Congress over the impeachment process away from Congress" and becoming "judge and jury" himself.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thuman |first1=Scott |author-link1=Scott Thuman |title=The legal fight over impeachment continues |url=https://wjla.com/news/political/the-legal-fight-over-impeachment |access-date=December 17, 2019 |work=WJLA |publisher=[[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] |date=October 10, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025437/https://wjla.com/news/political/the-legal-fight-over-impeachment |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In April 2024, Graham criticized Trump for not supporting a federal abortion ban.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 14, 2024 |title=Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham are again at odds, now over abortion. The strife could help both men |url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-lindsey-graham-abortion-b0197d9225db57ab4e801ef8dc86ea65 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> In reply, Trump expressed regret for endorsing Graham in his 2020 Senate campaign.  

In January 2025, Graham took issue with a series of Trump's first actions as president. Graham said it was "a mistake" for Trump to pardon criminal defendants who pleaded guilty to or were convicted of violent crimes during the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|January 6 attack on the Capitol]], citing concerns about condoning violence and undermining support of law enforcement officers.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2025 |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham says he thinks Trump pardoning violent Jan. 6 defendants was 'a mistake' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/lindsey-graham-trump-pardoning-violent-jan-6-defendant-mistake-rcna189322 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> Graham said Congress should "revisit" the scope of the [[Federal pardons in the United States|presidential pardon power]] in light of the [[Pardon of January 6 United States Capitol attack defendants|January 6 pardons]] and President Biden's pardons for his family members.<ref name=":1" /> Next, Graham disagreed with Trump's decision to remove the security detail provided to former National Security Advisor [[John Bolton]] and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Mandy Taheri Weekend |date=January 26, 2025 |title=Lindsey Graham calls out two mistakes Donald Trump made in first week |url=https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-calls-out-two-mistakes-donald-trump-made-first-week-2020998 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> Last, Graham defended Trump's decision to fire 17 [[Inspector general|Inspectors General]], but criticized Trump for "technically" violating the law by not giving Congress 30 days' notice of the firings.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/26/politics/video/sotu-lindsey-graham-on-trump-purging-inspectors-general |title=Graham on Trump purging Inspectors General: 'That's just the way it goes when you win an election.' {{!}} CNN Politics |date=January 26, 2025 |last=Bash |first=Dana |language=en |access-date=January 26, 2025 |via=www.cnn.com}}</ref> 

====Reaction to 2020 presidential election results====
{{see also|Disputes surrounding the 2020 United States presidential election results}}
Even after all major news networks projected that [[Joe Biden]] had won the [[2020 United States presidential election]], Graham said that Trump "should not concede" because "if Republicans don't challenge and change the U.S. election system, there will never be another Republican president elected again".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mastrangelo |first1=Nick |title=Graham: If Trump concedes election, Republicans will 'never' elect another president |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/525063-lindsey-graham-if-trump-concedes-election-republicans-will-never-elect-another/ |access-date=November 19, 2020 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=November 8, 2020}}</ref> Graham said he donated $500,000 to Trump's election lawsuits in various states,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Luna |first1=Kaitlyn |title=Lindsey Graham donates $500K toward President Trump's legal battle in key battleground states |url=https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/lindsey-graham-donates-500k-toward-president-trumps-legal-battle-in-key-battleground-states |access-date=November 19, 2020 |work=[[WBTW]] |date=November 6, 2020}}</ref> and that the option should be "on the table" for Republican state legislators to invalidate election results due to alleged "corruption" by appointing presidential electors who would vote for Trump.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Otterbein |first1=Holly |title=Pennsylvania GOP rallies to Trump's defense |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/10/pennsylvania-gop-rallies-trumps-defense-435864 |access-date=November 19, 2020 |work=[[Politico]] |date=November 11, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229144318/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/10/pennsylvania-gop-rallies-trumps-defense-435864 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After receiving an affidavit by [[Pennsylvania]] postal worker Richard Hopkins alleging that his postmaster discussed backdating mail ballots, Graham issued a statement that "all credible allegations of voting irregularities and misconduct be investigated to ensure the integrity of the 2020 elections", including Hopkins's.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Castronuovo |first1=Celine |title=Graham vows Senate Judiciary will investigate 'voting irregularities' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/524963-graham-vows-senate-judiciary-will-investigate-voting-irregularities/ |access-date=November 19, 2020 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=November 7, 2020}}</ref> Hopkins's affidavit was released by [[Project Veritas]], a controversial conservative organization known for using deceptive tactics; Project Veritas later released a recording in which Hopkins says that he did not hear his postmaster explicitly discuss backdating ballots, and that Project Veritas wrote his affidavit for him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Boburg |first1=Shawn |last2=Bogage |first2=Jacob |last3=Bennett |first3=Dalton |title=Audio recording shows Pa. postal worker recanting ballot-tampering claim |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/postal-worker-hopkins-ballot-pennsylvania/2020/11/11/c9b70eda-2470-11eb-8599-406466ad1b8e_story.html |access-date=November 19, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201112155013/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/postal-worker-hopkins-ballot-pennsylvania/2020/11/11/c9b70eda-2470-11eb-8599-406466ad1b8e_story.html |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[2020 United States presidential election in Georgia]] produced an initial count where Biden defeated Trump by around 14,000 votes, triggering a recount due to the small margin.<ref name=Gardner>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/brad-raffensperger-georgia-vote/2020/11/16/6b6cb2f4-283e-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html |title=Ga. secretary of state says fellow Republicans are pressuring him to find ways to exclude ballots | last=Garder |first=Amy |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117022415/http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/brad-raffensperger-georgia-vote/2020/11/16/6b6cb2f4-283e-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While the recount was ongoing, Graham privately called the [[Georgia Secretary of State]], [[Brad Raffensperger]] to discuss Georgia's vote counting.<ref name=Gardner/> Raffensperger, a Republican, told ''The Washington Post'' that Graham had asked Raffensperger whether Raffensperger could disqualify all mail-in ballots in counties with more signature errors.<ref name=Gardner/> [[Gabriel Sterling]], a Republican election official and staffer to Raffensperger, was present on the call; Sterling confirmed that Graham had asked that question.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gregorian |first1=Dareh |last2=Clark |first2=Dartunorro |title=Georgia officials spar with Sen. Lindsey Graham over alleged ballot tossing comments |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/georgia-secretary-state-raffensperger-says-sen-graham-asked-him-about-n1247968 |access-date=November 19, 2020 |work=[[NBC News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=November 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118193820/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/georgia-secretary-state-raffensperger-says-sen-graham-asked-him-about-n1247968 |url-status=live }}</ref> Raffensperger viewed Graham's question as a suggestion to throw out legally cast ballots. Graham denied suggesting this.<ref name=Gardner/> Graham acknowledged calling Raffensperger to find out how to "protect the integrity of mail-in voting" and "how does signature verification work", but said that if Raffensperger "feels threatened by that conversation, he's got a problem".<ref name=Gardner/> Graham said that he was investigating in his capacity as a senator, although he was the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.<ref name=Kane>{{cite news |last1=Kane |first1=Paul |title=Lindsey Graham's one-man voting probe prompts confusion |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/lindsey-graham-voting-inquiry/2020/11/17/bb67c33c-2917-11eb-9b14-ad872157ebc9_story.html |access-date=November 19, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201118001253/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/lindsey-graham-voting-inquiry/2020/11/17/bb67c33c-2917-11eb-9b14-ad872157ebc9_story.html |archive-date=November 18, 2020}}</ref> He went on to claim that he had also spoken to Arizona's and Nevada's secretaries of state.<ref name=Kane/> Those secretaries denied this, and Graham reversed himself, saying that he had spoken to the governor of Arizona and no official in Nevada.<ref name=Kane/> ''The Washington Post'' reported in February 2021 that [[Fani Willis]], the [[Fulton County, Georgia]] district attorney, was examining Graham's phone call to Raffensperger as part of a criminal investigation into possible efforts to illegally overturn Georgia's election results.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lindsey-graham-georgia-investigation/2021/02/12/f12faa82-6d6b-11eb-9f80-3d7646ce1bc0_story.html|title=Graham's post-election call with Raffensperger will be scrutinized in Georgia probe, person familiar with inquiry says|first1=Amy|last1=Gardner|first2=Tom|last2=Hamburger|author-link2=Tom Hamburger|first3=Josh|last3=Dawsey|author-link3=Josh Dawsey|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>

On January 6, 2021, Graham, [[Vice President Mike Pence]], and members of the Senate and House were evacuated from the Capitol building after Trump supporters [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|attacked the United States Capitol]]. The [[Joint session of the United States Congress|joint session of Congress]] reconvened late into the night and the early morning in the Senate chamber to count and confirm the Electoral College votes. Graham spoke, disagreeing with many of his Republican colleagues, [[Republican reactions to Donald Trump's claims of 2020 election fraud|who mostly supported Trump's denials of the election's results]], saying, "it's a uniquely bad idea to delay this election", and though "I hate it", they could "count me out, enough is enough". He finished by saying, "Joe Biden and [[Kamala Harris]] are lawfully elected and will become the President and the Vice President of the United States on January the 20th."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?507698-13/senator-graham-arizona-objection&event=507698&playEvent&auto |title=Senator Graham on Arizona Objection |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=January 6, 2021 |website=C-SPAN |access-date=January 7, 2021}}</ref>

In the resulting [[second impeachment trial of Donald Trump]], Graham voted "not guilty".<ref>{{cite web |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham releases statement on acquittal of President Trump in second impeachment trial |url=https://www.wtoc.com/2021/02/13/sen-lindsey-graham-releases-statement-acquittal-president-trump-second-impeachment-trial/ |website=www.wtoc.com |publisher=WTOC |access-date=March 6, 2021 |date=February 13, 2021}}</ref>

On May 28, 2021, Graham voted against creating the [[January 6 commission]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=Washington Post |date=May 28, 2021 |title=Which senators supported a Jan. 6 Capitol riot commission |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2021/January6-commission-senators-vote/}}</ref>

In August 2021, ''The New York Times'' reported that Graham called Biden days after the election in an effort to revive their friendship and told Biden he had called for a [[special counsel]] investigation of Biden's son [[Hunter Biden|Hunter]] during the campaign only to appease Trump supporters among his constituents. A Graham spokesman disputed the ''Times''<nowiki/>'s account.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/14/us/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814090424/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/14/us/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump.html |archive-date=August 14, 2021 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Tap Dancing With Trump: Lindsey Graham's Quest for Relevance|first1=Glenn|last1=Thrush|first2=Jo|last2=Becker|first3=Danny|last3=Hakim|date=August 14, 2021|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

==== 2024 election ====
Graham appeared at Trump's first prime-time [[Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign|2024 campaign]] rally on January 28, 2023, and told [[Fox News]] host [[Sean Hannity]] that he would support Trump "because I know what I'm going to get", mostly regarding perceived international threats.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bort |first=Ryan |date=January 31, 2023 |title=Lindsey Graham Makes Desperate Case for Trump as 2024 Bid Sputters |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/lindsey-graham-praises-trump-2024-campaign-sputters-1234671460/ |access-date=February 7, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> Graham campaigned and publicly advocated for Trump on news programs like [[Meet the Press|Meet The Press]] throughout the 2024 election.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2024 |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham: 'Trump the provocateur, the showman, may not win this election' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/lindsey-graham-trump-provocateur-showman-may-not-win-election-rcna167060 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> He also called on other prominent Republican politicians to campaign for Trump.<ref name=":3" /> 

In May 2024, when asked whether he would accept the results of the presidential election, Graham said he would "if there's no massive cheating".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham says he'll accept 2024 election results 'if there's no massive cheating' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/sen-lindsey-graham-says-he-ll-accept-2024-election-results-if-there-s-no-massive-cheating-210757701925 |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref>

In July 2024, after President Biden announced he would not seek reelection, Graham said he wished Biden well and that he "appreciate[d] his lifelong service to our nation".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacquot |first=Bryce |date=July 22, 2024 |title='I wish him and his family well;' Sen. Graham reacts to Biden bowing out of 2024 election |url=https://wlos.com/newsletter-daily/i-wish-him-and-his-family-well-sen-graham-reacts-to-biden-bowing-out-of-2024-election-wciv-abc-news-4-lindsey-graham-joe-biden-kamala-harris-gop-democratic-party-donald-trump-jd-vance |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=WLOS |language=en}}</ref> 

In September 2024, with growing concern about a tie in the [[United States Electoral College|Electoral College]], Graham visited Nebraska—one of two states without a [[Winner-take-all system|winner-take-all vote allocation system]]. He lobbied Governor [[Jim Pillen]] to call a special session of the legislature to adopt the winner-take-all system, preventing Kamala Harris from receiving the state's one Electoral College vote typically won by Democrats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phifer |first=Avery Lotz,Donica |date=September 22, 2024 |title=Sunday Snapshot: Lindsey Graham's election warning for Nebraska |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/lindsey-graham-nebraska-electoral-college-reform |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref> Trump endorsed the change. The move failed when too few state senators agreed to call a special session.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phifer |first=Avery Lotz,Donica |date=September 22, 2024 |title=Sunday Snapshot: Lindsey Graham's election warning for Nebraska |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/lindsey-graham-nebraska-electoral-college-reform |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kayanja |first=Ian |date=September 23, 2024 |title=Nebraska state Sen. McDonnell blocks GOP & Sen. Graham's push to for winner-take-all model |url=https://abcnews4.com/news/local/nebraska-state-sen-mcdonnell-blocks-trump-allies-push-to-change-electoral-vote-system-lindsey-graham-senator-republican-wciv-abc-news-4-2024 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=WCIV |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2024, Graham said Republican voters who supported Harris were supporting "the most radical nominee in history of American politics".<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2024 |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham to Republicans supporting Harris: 'What the hell are you doing?' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/lindsey-graham-republicans-supporting-harris-hell-are-you-doing-rcna176277 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> He argued that the Biden-Harris immigration policy was a larger "danger to this country" than Trump's rhetoric.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fortinsky |first=Sarah |date=October 20, 2024 |title=Graham on Republicans supporting Harris: 'What the hell are you doing? |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4943731-graham-questions-republicans-backing-harris/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241201115211/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4943731-graham-questions-republicans-backing-harris/ |archive-date=December 1, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |work=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref>

Graham called Trump's 2024 election victory "the biggest comeback in American history".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Brandi |date=November 6, 2024 |title='Biggest come back in American history:' SC lawmakers react to Trump's election |url=https://wpde.com/news/local/sc-lawmakers-react-to-trumps-comeback-election-south-carolina-president-united-states-jd-vance-donald-republican-house-senate-majority-tim-scott-nancy-mace-lindsey-graham-henry-mcmaster-russell-fry-nikki-haley-47th |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=WPDE |language=en}}</ref> 

==Political positions==
[[File:Joe Biden addresses the press after having a brief meeting with Iraq's interim Prime Minister lyad Allawi.jpg|thumb|Senators [[Joe Biden]] and Lindsey Graham with [[Iraq]]'s interim prime minister Allawi, inside the [[Green Zone]] of [[Baghdad]], June 19, 2004]]
[[Tea Party movement|Tea Party]] opponents have called Graham a "[[Factions in the Republican Party (United States)#Moderates|moderate Republican]]."<ref name=wrath/><ref name=manoeuvre/> He calls himself a "Reagan-style Republican", and has been called a fairly conservative Republican with "a twang of moderation" and "an independent streak."<ref name=vstp/><ref name=twang/><ref name=plaintalk/>

Much of the Tea Party criticism focuses on his willingness to be bipartisan and work with Democrats on issues like [[climate change]], [[tax reform]] and [[immigration reform]] and his belief that judicial nominees should not be opposed solely because of their philosophical positions.<ref name=facesdown/><ref name=countmore/><ref name=primaried/><ref name=vstp/><ref name=uncantor/><ref name=bipartisan/> He voted to confirm both of President Obama's Supreme Court nominees, [[Sonia Sotomayor]] and [[Elena Kagan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2009/07/graham-a-yes-on-sotomayor-025306 |title=Graham a 'yes' on Sotomayor |work=Politico |date=July 23, 2009 |access-date=February 8, 2015 |first=Martin |last=Kady II |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025442/https://www.politico.com/story/2009/07/graham-a-yes-on-sotomayor-025306 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=forkagan>{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/07/lindsey-graham-dramatically-casts-his-vote-for-elena-kagan/60082/ |title=Lindsey Graham Dramatically Casts His Vote for Elena Kagan |work=[[The Atlantic]] |first=Nicole |last=Allan |date=July 20, 2010 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025437/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/07/lindsey-graham-dramatically-casts-his-vote-for-elena-kagan/60082/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For his part, Graham has criticized and confronted the Tea Party, arguing for a more inclusive Republican Party.<ref name=uncantor/><ref name=wrath/><ref name=manoeuvre/><ref name=maverick/><ref name=stomped/><ref name=teflon/> In 2023, the Lugar Center ranked Graham in the top third of senators for bipartisanship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Work |url=https://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-85.html |access-date=November 5, 2024 |website=www.thelugarcenter.org}}</ref>

{{blockquote|We lost. President Obama won. I've got a lot of opportunity to disagree, but the Constitution, in my view, puts an obligation on me not to replace my judgment for his, not to think of the hundred reasons I would pick someone different ... I view my duty as to protect the Judiciary and to ensure that hard-fought elections have meaning in our system. I'm going to vote for her [Kagan] because I believe this election has consequences. And this president chose someone who is qualified to serve on this court and understands the difference between being a liberal judge and a politician. At the end of the day, it wasn't a hard decision ... She would not have been someone I would have chosen, but the person who did choose, President Obama, chose wisely.<ref name=forkagan/>|Graham, explaining his vote to confirm Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court.}}

===Supreme Court nominations ===

In 2016, after Supreme Court Justice [[Antonin Scalia]] died, Republican senators boycotted Obama's [[Merrick Garland Supreme Court nomination|nomination of Merrick Garland]]. Graham said that Supreme Court vacancies should never be filled in a presidential election year<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ankel|first=Sophia|date=September 19, 2020|title='Use my words against me': A 2016 video of Lindsey Graham saying a Supreme Court vacancy should never be filled in an election year is going viral|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-2016-vacancies-should-not-be-filled-election-years-2020-9|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025435/https://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-2016-vacancies-should-not-be-filled-election-years-2020-9|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=Business Insider}}</ref> and that "[w]e are setting a precedent today, Republicans are."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Connelly|first=Eileen AJ|date=September 19, 2020|title=Sen. Graham reverses earlier statements, supports Trump filling SCOTUS vacancy|url=https://nypost.com/2020/09/19/lindsey-graham-supports-trump-filling-supreme-court-vacancy/|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=[[New York Post]]|language=en-US|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025434/https://nypost.com/2020/09/19/lindsey-graham-supports-trump-filling-supreme-court-vacancy/|url-status=live}}</ref> He said that if a similar situation arose, "you can use my words against me and you'd be absolutely right."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Naughtie|first=Andrew|date=September 19, 2020|title=Lindsey Graham repeatedly insisted that Supreme Court vacancies shouldn't be filled in election years|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election/justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-death-lindsey-graham-supreme-court-replacement-election-b498014.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920025516/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-election/justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-death-lindsey-graham-supreme-court-replacement-election-b498014.html|archive-date=September 20, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> In an October 2018 interview, Graham said specifically that "[i]f an opening comes in the last year of President Trump's term, and the primary process has started, we'll wait till the next election."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schwartz|first=Matthew|date=September 19, 2020|title='Use My Words Against Me': Lindsey Graham's Shifting Position On Court Vacancies|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/death-of-ruth-bader-ginsburg/2020/09/19/914774433/use-my-words-against-me-lindsey-graham-s-shifting-position-on-court-vacancies|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025437/https://www.npr.org/sections/death-of-ruth-bader-ginsburg/2020/09/19/914774433/use-my-words-against-me-lindsey-graham-s-shifting-position-on-court-vacancies|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2020|work=NPR|language=en}}</ref>

During the 2018 confirmation hearings following [[Brett Kavanaugh]]'s nomination to the [[Supreme Court of the United States]], Graham took a strong stance against letting the process be further delayed by [[Christine Blasey Ford]]'s allegations. Ford accused Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her decades earlier when the two were in high school.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kavanaugh's Nomination in Turmoil as Accuser Says He Assaulted Her Decades Ago |first=Sheryl Gay |last=Stolberg |work=The New York Times |date=September 16, 2018 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/16/us/politics/brett-kavanaugh-christine-blasey-ford-sexual-assault.html |access-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-date=January 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104061052/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/16/us/politics/brett-kavanaugh-christine-blasey-ford-sexual-assault.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Speaking to reporters immediately after the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] questioned Ford, Graham declared himself unmoved by her testimony, doubting her recollection that it was Kavanaugh who had assaulted her.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/feel-ambushed-sen-lindsey-graham-fords-testimony-58128395|title=After Ford's testimony, Sen. Graham says he feels 'ambushed'|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|access-date=September 27, 2018|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090407/https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/feel-ambushed-sen-lindsey-graham-fords-testimony-58128395|url-status=live}}</ref>

When Kavanaugh testified before the committee the following day, Graham used his time to speak in Kavanaugh's defense, describing him as a victim who had been put through "hell" by "the most unethical sham" he had seen in his time in politics and that if Kavanaugh was looking for fair process, he had "c[o]me to the wrong town at the wrong time". A CNN commentator characterized Graham's speech as an "audition" for Attorney General.<ref name="cnn._Lind">{{cite web |title=Lindsey Graham erupts during Kavanaugh hearing |work=CNN |date=October 1, 2018 |access-date=April 10, 2022 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/09/27/graham-kavanaugh-hearing-a-sham-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/kavanaugh-ford-senate-hearing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003181704/https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2018/09/27/graham-kavanaugh-hearing-a-sham-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/kavanaugh-ford-senate-hearing/ |archive-date=October 3, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2019, Graham became chair of the Judiciary Committee.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-graham-ginsburg-senate/2020/09/19/4712b310-fa88-11ea-89e3-4b9efa36dc64_story.html|title=Graham — an institutionalist turned Trump loyalist — will play a central role in Supreme Court battle|first1=Sean|last1=Sullivan|first2=Seung Min|last2=Kim|author-link2=Seung Min Kim|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025452/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-graham-ginsburg-senate/2020/09/19/4712b310-fa88-11ea-89e3-4b9efa36dc64_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2020, Graham said the Senate would work to confirm a Supreme Court nominee if a vacancy arose before the November election.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Axelrod|first=Tal|date=September 19, 2020|title=Graham signals support for confirming a Supreme Court nominee this year|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/517223-graham-signals-support-for-confirming-a-nominee-this-year/|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=The Hill|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025442/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/517223-graham-signals-support-for-confirming-a-nominee-this-year|url-status=live}}</ref> He said "Merrick Garland was a different situation. You had the president of one party nominating, and you had the Senate in the hands of the other party. A situation where you've got them both would be different."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Axelrod|first=Tal|date=May 16, 2020|title=Graham on potential Supreme Court vacancy: 'This would be a different circumstance' than Merrick Garland|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/498133-graham-on-potential-supreme-court-vacancy-this-would-be-a-different/|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=The Hill|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025439/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/498133-graham-on-potential-supreme-court-vacancy-this-would-be-a-different|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2020, he said "[a]fter Kavanaugh's confirmation, the rules have changed as far as I'm concerned."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kapur|first=Sahil|date=August 3, 2020|title=Democrats warn GOP: Don't fill a Supreme Court vacancy in 2020|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/democrats-warn-gop-don-t-fill-supreme-court-vacancy-2020-n1234885|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025453/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/democrats-warn-gop-don-t-fill-supreme-court-vacancy-2020-n1234885|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=[[NBC News]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name=thesame>{{cite news |last1=Edmondson |first1=Catie |title='You Would Do the Same': Graham Is Defiant on Supreme Court Reversal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/us/politics/lindsey-graham-supreme-court-reversal.html |access-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200923123214/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/21/us/politics/lindsey-graham-supreme-court-reversal.html |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 21, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2020, Supreme Court justice [[Ruth Bader Ginsburg]] died. Within a day, Graham expressed support for the Senate immediately voting on Trump's nominee to succeed her. The ''New York Times'' called Graham's position "a complete and brazen reversal" of his earlier stance.<ref name=thesame/> Graham said that in 2013, years before his 2016 pledge, Democrats had changed Senate rules to allow a simple majority vote for nominees to [[United States courts of appeals]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fortier-Benson|first=Tony|date=September 19, 2020|title=Sen. Lindsey Graham says he will support Trump's SCOTUS pick for two reasons|url=https://wlos.com/news/local/sen-lindsey-graham-says-he-will-support-trumps-scotus-pick-for-two-reasons|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025507/https://wlos.com/news/local/sen-lindsey-graham-says-he-will-support-trumps-scotus-pick-for-two-reasons|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020|website=[[WLOS]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Baker|first1=Peter|last2=Haberman|first2=Maggie|author-link1=Peter Baker (journalist)|author-link2=Maggie Haberman|date=September 19, 2020|title=Trump Presses for New Justice 'Without Delay' as Election-Season Battle Looms|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/19/us/politics/supreme-court-trump.html|access-date=September 20, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025443/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/19/us/politics/supreme-court-trump.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Free speech===
[[File:Obama signing the Fair Sentencing Act.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Graham (far right) at the signing of the [[Fair Sentencing Act]] in 2010]]

During an April 3, 2011, appearance on ''[[Face the Nation]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Mataconis|first=Doug|date=April 3, 2011|url=http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/lindsay-graham-on-koran-burning-freedom-of-speech-is-a-great-idea-but-were-in-a-war/|title=Lindsey Graham On Koran Burning: "Freedom Of Speech Is A Great Idea But We're In A War."|website=Outside the Beltway|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=January 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111003510/http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/lindsay-graham-on-koran-burning-freedom-of-speech-is-a-great-idea-but-were-in-a-war/|url-status=live}}</ref> Graham "suggested that Congress take unspecified though formal action against the [[Koran]]-[[2010 Qur'an-burning controversy#Mock trial and burning of a Qur'an|burning]] by Florida preacher [[2010 Qur'an-burning controversy#Pastor Terry Jones|Terry Jones]]", in light of [[2011 Mazar-i-Sharif attack|an attack]] on United Nations personnel triggered by Jones's actions.<ref name=Greenwald>{{cite web|first=Glenn|last=Greenwald|author-link=Glenn Greenwald|date=April 4, 2011|url=http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/04/04/free_speech/index.html|title=The most uncounted cost of Endless War|work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=September 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904071533/http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/04/04/free_speech/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Asserting that "Congress might need to explore the need to limit some forms of freedom of speech",<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Sullivan|author-link=Andrew Sullivan|date=April 3, 2011|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2011/04/-free-speech-is-a-great-idea-i-but-i/173430/|title=Free Speech Is A Great Idea, But ...|work=[[The Atlantic]]|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025442/https://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2011/04/-free-speech-is-a-great-idea-i-but-i/173430/|url-status=live}}</ref> Graham argued, "Free speech is a great idea, but we're in a war," and claimed that "during [[World War II]], we had limits on what you could say if it would inspire the enemy."<ref name=Greenwald/><ref>{{cite web|first=Jack|last=Hunter|author-link=Jack Hunter (radio host)|date=April 7, 2011|url= http://www.amconmag.com/blog/2011/04/07/lindsey-grahams-war-on-freedom/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110410175327/http://www.amconmag.com/blog/2011/04/07/lindsey-grahams-war-on-freedom/|url-status= dead|archive-date= April 10, 2011|title=Lindsey Graham's War on Freedom|work=[[The American Conservative]]}}</ref>

===Gang of 14===
On May 23, 2005, Graham was one of the so-called [[Gang of 14]] senators forging a compromise that brought a halt to the continued blockage of an up-or-down vote on judicial nominees. This compromise negated both the Democrats' use of a [[filibuster]] and the Republican "[[nuclear option]]". Under the agreement, the Democrats retained the power to filibuster a Bush judicial nominee only in an "extraordinary circumstance", and subsequently, three conservative Bush [[appellate court]] nominees ([[Janice Rogers Brown]], [[Priscilla Owen]] and [[William H. Pryor Jr.]]) received a vote by the full Senate.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gerhardt |first1=Michael |last2=Painter |first2=Richard |title="Extraordinary Circumstances": The Legacy of theGang of 14 and a Proposal for Judicial NominationsReform |journal=University of Richmond Law Review |date=2012 |volume=46 |issue=969 |page=969 |url=https://scholarship.law.unc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1093&context=faculty_publications |access-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025456/https://scholarship.law.unc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&httpsredir=1&article=1093&context=faculty_publications |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Senators compromise on filibusters |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/24/filibuster.fight/ |access-date=October 31, 2020 |work=CNN|date=May 24, 2005 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025442/https://edition.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/24/filibuster.fight/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===National Security Agency surveillance===
In response to the [[Global surveillance disclosures (2013–present)|2013 disclosures]] about the United States [[National Security Agency]] and its international partners' [[global surveillance]] of foreign nationals and U.S. citizens, Graham said he was "glad" the NSA was collecting phone records. He said, "I'm a Verizon customer. I don't mind Verizon turning over records to the government if the government is going to make sure that they try to match up a known terrorist phone with somebody in the United States. I don't think you're talking to the terrorists. I know you're not. I know I'm not. So we don't have anything to worry about."<ref>{{cite web |first=Tal |last=Kopan |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/lindsey-graham-nsa-tracking-phones-92330.html |title=Lindsey Graham 'glad' NSA tracking phones |work=Politico |date=June 6, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025502/https://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/lindsey-graham-nsa-tracking-phones-092330 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/6/gop-sen-graham-glad-nsa-collecting-phone-records/ |title=GOP Sen. Graham says he's 'glad' NSA is collecting phone records |first=Seth |last=McLaughlin |work=The Washington Times |date=June 6, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025451/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/6/gop-sen-graham-glad-nsa-collecting-phone-records/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On July 25, 2013, the [[United States Senate Committee on Appropriations|U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations]] unanimously adopted an amendment by Graham to the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill<ref>{{USBill|113|s|1372|site=yes}}. [http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1372 S. 1372] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107025524/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1372 |date=January 7, 2021 }} at [[GovTrack]]. [http://www.opencongress.org/bill/113-s1372/ S. 1372] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003041/http://www.opencongress.org/bill/113-s1372/ |date=December 3, 2013 }} at [[OpenCongress]].</ref> that sought sanctions against any country that offered asylum to former NSA contractor [[Edward Snowden]].<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. lawmakers want sanctions on any country taking in Snowden|first=Patricia|last=Zengerle|work=[[Reuters]]|date=July 25, 2013|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-security-congress-idUSBRE96O18220130725|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025451/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-security-congress-idUSBRE96O18220130725|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Senate advances law pressuring Russia not to give Snowden asylum|agency=[[Xinhua News Agency|Xinhua]]|date=July 26, 2013|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-07/26/c_132574418.htm|access-date=February 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021184211/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-07/26/c_132574418.htm|archive-date=October 21, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast|title=FY14 Full Committee Markup of State-Foreign Operations, and Financial Services General Government Bills|date=July 25, 2013|publisher=[[United States Senate Committee on Appropriations]]|time=1:10:08|url=http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/webcasts.cfm?method=webcasts.view&id=591353fa-8fd0-41e9-9d7e-6adf0ab76537}}</ref>

===Detainee interrogations===
In July 2005, Graham secured the declassification and release of memoranda outlining concerns made by senior military lawyers as early as 2003 about the legality of the interrogations of prisoners held at [[Guantánamo Bay, Cuba|Guantanamo Bay]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0728-03.htm|title=Military's Opposition to Harsh Interrogation Is Outlined|first=Neil A.|last=Lewis|author-link=Neil A. Lewis|date=July 28, 2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 30, 2006|archive-date=September 19, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919032618/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0728-03.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Of U.S. citizens accused of supporting terrorism, Graham said before the Senate, "When they say, 'I want my lawyer,' you tell them, 'Shut up. You don't get a lawyer. You are an enemy combatant, and we are going to talk to you about why you joined Al Qaeda.'"<ref>{{cite web|last=Savage|first=Charlie|author-link=Charlie Savage (author)|title=Senate Declines to Clarify Rights of American Qaeda Suspects Arrested in U.S.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 1, 2011|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/us/senate-declines-to-resolve-issue-of-american-qaeda-suspects-arrested-in-us.html?ref=us|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=February 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228094723/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/us/senate-declines-to-resolve-issue-of-american-qaeda-suspects-arrested-in-us.html?ref=us|url-status=live}}</ref> In response to this and a June 2004 U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing detainees to file [[habeas corpus]] petitions to challenge their detentions, Graham authored an amendment to a Department of [[National Defense Authorization Act|Defense Authorization Act]]<ref>[http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?dbname=2005_record&page=S8859&position=all S8859] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025501/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-2005-07-25/pdf/CREC-2005-07-25-pt1-PgS8836.pdf |date=November 17, 2020 }}, The Graham Amendment</ref> attempting to clarify the authority of American courts. The amendment passed in November 2005 by a vote of 49–42 in the Senate despite opposition from human rights groups and legal scholars who contended that it limited the rights of detainees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aclu.org/news/aclu-urges-congress-reject-court-stripping-measure-proposal-denies-detainees-right-challenge|title=ACLU Urges Congress to Reject Court Stripping Measure; Proposal Denies Detainees the Right to Challenge the Use of Torture|website=aclu.org|publisher=[[American Civil Liberties Union]]|date=November 10, 2005|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025504/https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-urges-congress-reject-court-stripping-measure-proposal-denies-detainees-right|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenation.com/article/right-trial-imperiled-senate-vote|title=Right To Trial Imperiled by Senate Vote|first1=Jeremy|last1=Brecher|first2=Brendan|last2=Smith|author-link1=Jeremy Brecher|work=[[The Nation]]|date=November 14, 2005|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=May 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512020949/https://www.thenation.com/article/right-trial-imperiled-senate-vote/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Graham has said he amended the Department of Defense Authorization Act in order to give military lawyers, as opposed to politically appointed lawyers, a more independent role in the oversight of military commanders. He has argued that two of the largest problems leading to the detainee abuse scandals at Guantanamo Bay and [[Abu Ghraib prison|Abu Ghraib]] were this lack of oversight and troops' confusion over legal boundaries.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/pentagon/interviews/graham.html FRONTLINE Interview: Rumsfeld's War] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025513/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/pentagon/interviews/graham.html |date=November 17, 2020 }}. Retrieved February 10, 2009.</ref>

Graham added that military lawyers had long observed the provisions of the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]] and the [[Geneva Convention]], but that the Bush administration had not considered those provisions in decisions about the treatment of Guantanamo Bay detainees. He claimed that better legal oversight within the military's chain of command would prevent future detainee abuse.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/choice2008/interviews/graham.html#1 FRONTLINE Interview: The Choice 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116010124/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/choice2008/interviews/graham.html#1 |date=November 16, 2018 }}. Retrieved February 10, 2009.</ref>

In February 2006, Graham joined Senator [[Jon Kyl]] in filing an [[amicus brief]] in the ''[[Hamdan v. Rumsfeld]]'' case that argued "Congress was aware" that the [[Detainee Treatment Act of 2005]] would strip the Supreme Court of jurisdiction to hear "pending cases, including this case" brought by Guantanamo detainees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2138750|title=Invisible Men: Did Lindsey Graham and Jon Kyl mislead the Supreme Court?|first=Emily|last=Bazelon|author-link=Emily Bazelon|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|date=March 27, 2006|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=August 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811175845/http://www.slate.com/id/2138750/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a May 2009 [[CNN]] interview, Graham referred to the domestic internment of German and [[Japanese American internment|Japanese]] [[prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] and U.S. Citizens as a model for domestic detention of Guantanamo detainees, saying, "We had 450,000 Japanese and German prisoners housed in the United States during [[World War II]]. As a nation, we can deal with this."<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/politics/2009/05/06/nr.phillips.hunter.intv.cnn.html | work=CNN | title=I Just Saw This on CNN.com: Sen. Graham on Gitmo detainees | access-date=May 7, 2010 | archive-date=October 15, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015111845/http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/politics/2009/05/06/nr.phillips.hunter.intv.cnn.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Immigration reform===
Graham was a supporter of "comprehensive immigration reform", of [[S. 2611]], the McCain-Kennedy Immigration Reform Bill of 2006, and of [[S. 1348]], the [[Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007]]. His positions on immigration, and in particular collaborating with Senator [[Ted Kennedy]], earned Graham the ire of conservative activists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/jun/8/20070608-124010-3947r/|title=Kennedy alliance costly to GOP senators|work=The Washington Times|date=June 8, 2007|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308112732/http://www3.washingtontimes.com/national/20070608-124010-3947r.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The controversy prompted conservative activists to support a primary challenge in 2008 by longtime Republican national committeeman [[Buddy Witherspoon]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/413-immigration-stance-hurts-graham-at-home-poll-finds/|work=The Hill|title=Immigration stance hurts Graham at home, poll finds|date=June 22, 2007|first=Aaron|last=Blake|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025528/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/598-immigration-stance-hurts-graham-at-home-poll-finds|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/11245-rnc-official-inches-toward-graham-battle/|work=The Hill|first=Aaron|last=Blake|title=RNC official inches toward Graham battle|date=November 14, 2007|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025518/https://thehill.com/homenews/news/13648-rnc-official-inches-toward-graham-battle|url-status=live}}</ref> but Graham won the nomination by a large margin.<ref>{{cite news |title= Graham romps to easy win over challenger Witherspoon |work= [[The State (newspaper)|The State]] |date= June 11, 2008 |url= http://www.thestate.com/local/story/430462.html }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>　

In early 2010, Graham began working with Democratic New York senator [[Chuck Schumer]] on immigration reform.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031703115.html |title=The right way to mend immigration |newspaper=The Washington Post |first1=Chuck |last1=Schumer |first2=Lindsey |last2=Graham |date=March 19, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2014 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107025558/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031703115.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The talks broke down later that year.<ref name=chucklindsey>{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/schumer-gop-graham-push-immigration-reform-plan-article-1.1200401 |title=Sens. Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham give bipartisan push to immigration reform plan |work=[[New York Daily News]] |agency=Associated Press |date=November 11, 2012 |access-date=October 11, 2014 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107025604/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/schumer-gop-graham-push-immigration-reform-plan-article-1.1200401 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2010, Graham suggested that U.S. citizenship as a birthright guaranteed by the [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution]] should be amended, and that any children born to illegal immigrants in the United States should be considered illegal immigrants.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lindsey Graham: 'Birthright Citizenship Is A Mistake,' 'We Should Change Constitution' |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |first=Elyse |last=Siegel |date=July 29, 2010 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/29/lindsey-graham-birthright_n_664030.html |access-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107025545/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lindsey-graham-birthright_n_664030 |url-status=live }}</ref> He alleged, "Half the children born in hospitals on our borders are the children of illegal immigrants."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8RevAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA75|title=Scholars and Southern Californian Immigrants in Dialogue: New Conversations in Public Sociology|date=May 23, 2014|author1=Victoria Carty|author2=Tekle Woldemikael|author3=Rafael Luévano|publisher=Lexington Books|page=75|isbn=9780739176184|access-date=November 17, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025604/https://books.google.com/books?id=8RevAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA75|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2012, Graham and Schumer resumed their talks on comprehensive immigration reform.<ref name=chucklindsey/> On January 28, 2013, Graham was a member of a bipartisan [[Gang of Eight (immigration)|group of eight senators]] that announced principles for [[Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013|comprehensive immigration reform]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Senators Reach a Bipartisan Agreement for Comprehensive Immigration Reform|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/senators-reach-bipartisan-agreement-comprehensive-immigration-reform|publisher=Fowler White Boggs P.A.|work=[[The National Law Review]]|date=January 31, 2013|access-date=February 1, 2013|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025529/https://www.natlawreview.com/article/senators-reach-bipartisan-agreement-comprehensive-immigration-reform|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 23, 2013, Graham said that the Senate was close to obtaining 70 votes to pass the reform package.<ref>{{cite web|last=Isenstadt|first=Alex|title=Graham: We're close to 70 votes on immigration reform|url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2013/06/graham-were-close-to-70-votes-on-immigration-reform-166816?hp=l11|work=Politico|date=June 23, 2013|access-date=June 24, 2013|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025539/https://www.politico.com/blogs/politico-now/2013/06/graham-were-close-to-70-votes-on-immigration-reform-166816|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2019, Graham proposed instituting new immigration laws that would only allow migrants to apply for asylum from their home country or Mexico, smooth the process to deport unaccompanied children to Central America, and extend the period by which migrant children could be detained from 20 days to 100 days.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Alvarez |first1=Priscilla |title=Graham introduces bill that would change asylum process and try to slow flow of migrants |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/15/politics/graham-immigration-bill/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=July 13, 2019 |date=May 15, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025536/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/15/politics/graham-immigration-bill/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2019, Graham visited a migrant detention center in Texas. He reacted that it was not "a concentration camp" but "a facility overwhelmed". Of the migrants, Graham said, "I don't care if they have to stay in these facilities for 400 days. We're not going to let those men go that I saw. It would be dangerous."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pengelly |first1=Martin |title=Trump claims migrant detention center visited by Pence was 'clean but crowded' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/14/trump-migrant-detention-center-pence-visit |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=July 15, 2019 |date=July 14, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025549/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/14/trump-migrant-detention-center-pence-visit |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Internet and technology ===
In May 2018, Graham voted against legislation that would have overturned the FCC's ruling{{clarify|reason=what ruling?|date=October 2020}} and restored net neutrality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/heres-the-name-of-every-senator-who-voted-against-net-n-1826085987|title=Here's the Name of Every Senator Who Voted Against Net Neutrality—and When to Vote Them Out|website=[[Gizmodo]]|first=Rhett|last=Jones|language=en-us|date=May 16, 2018|access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025531/https://gizmodo.com/heres-the-name-of-every-senator-who-voted-against-net-n-1826085987|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2017, Graham voted for the [[2017 Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal repeal|Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal]] that removed the FCC's internet privacy rules and allowed [[internet service provider]]s to sell customers' browsing history without their permission.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00094|publisher=United States Senate|title=Roll Call Votes 115th Congress - 1st Session: On the Joint Resolution (S.J. Res. 34 )|website=senate.gov|access-date=April 26, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025533/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=115&session=1&vote=00094|url-status=live}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=October 2020}}

In February 2022, Graham and [[Richard Blumenthal]] introduced bipartisan legislation, as part of the [[EARN IT Act]], to incentivize tech companies to remove [[Child pornography|child sexual abuse material]] (CSAM) from their platforms and remove blanket immunity for violations of laws related to online child pornography.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/what-they-are-saying-advocacy-groups-and-survivors-voice-support-for-the-earn-it-act|title=What They Are Saying: Advocacy Groups & Survivors Voice Support for the EARN IT Act|website=Senator Richard Blumenthal|date=February 8, 2022|access-date=December 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/3538|title=S.3538 - EARN IT Act of 2022|website=Congress.gov|date=February 10, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2022}}</ref>

===Gun rights===
Graham opposes extending background checks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/31/graham-wont-join-gun-legislation-filibuster/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404053303/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/31/graham-wont-join-gun-legislation-filibuster/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |title=Graham won't join gun legislation filibuster |work=CNN|date=March 31, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2014}}</ref> He has said, "universal background checks are going to require universal [gun] registration."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/news/article/Why-NRA-says-background-checks-lead-to-4397510.php |title=Why NRA says background checks lead to confiscation |work=[[Houston Chronicle]] |first=Dan |last=Freedman |date=March 30, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025533/https://www.chron.com/news/article/Why-NRA-says-background-checks-lead-to-4397510.php |url-status=live }}</ref> He has called current gun laws "broken", citing an example of a woman who pleaded guilty by reason of insanity to attempting to kill President [[George W. Bush]], but was later able to pass a background check and buy a gun.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wsav.com/story/21190676/congressman-lindsey-graham-calls-current-gun-laws-broken |title=Senator Lindsey Graham Calls Current Gun Laws "Broken" |publisher=WSAV3 |access-date=November 1, 2014 |archive-date=November 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102231802/http://www.wsav.com/story/21190676/congressman-lindsey-graham-calls-current-gun-laws-broken |url-status=dead }}</ref> To this end, in March 2013, he joined senators [[Jeff Flake]], [[Mark Begich]], and [[Mark Pryor]] in introducing a bill that would close a loophole by flagging people who attempt to buy guns who have used an insanity defense, were ruled dangerous by a court or had been committed by a court to mental health treatment. It did not address the [[gun show loophole]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/06/graham-introduces-background-check-bill-with-nra-backing/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308080629/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/06/graham-introduces-background-check-bill-with-nra-backing/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |title=Graham introduces background check bill with NRA backing |work=CNN|first=Gregory|last=Wallace |date=March 6, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2014}}</ref>

In 2022, Graham became one of ten Republican senators to support a bipartisan agreement on gun control, which included a red flag provision, a support for state crisis intervention orders, funding for school safety resources, stronger background checks for buyers under the age of 21, and penalties for straw purchases.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/12/politics/senate-gun-safety-agreement/index.html|title=Bipartisan group of senators announces agreement on gun control|work=CNN|last1=Bash|first1=Dana|last2=Raju|first2=Manu|last3=Judd|first3=Donald|date=June 12, 2022|access-date=June 12, 2022}}</ref>

===Health care===
Graham opposed President Obama's health reform legislation; he voted against the [[Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act|Affordable Care Act]] (Obamacare) in December 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396|title=Roll Call Vote 111th Congress - 1st Session: On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 3590 as Amended)|website=senate.gov|publisher=United States Senate|access-date=September 28, 2020|archive-date=July 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718202033/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00396|url-status=live}}</ref> and against the [[Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 |title=Roll Call Vote 111th Congress - 2nd Session Roll Call Vote: On Passage of the Bill (H.R. 4872 As Amended) |work=senate.gov |publisher=United States Senate |access-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-date=August 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804082122/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00105 |url-status=live }}</ref> He played a leading role in efforts to repeal Obamacare, authoring the [[Graham–Cassidy health care amendment|Graham–Cassidy amendment]] to Republicans' 2017 repeal efforts. The amendment would have given states permission to remove protections for individuals with [[Pre-existing condition|preexisting conditions]], such as allowing insurers to charge them higher prices for insurance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kliff|first=Sarah|date=September 18, 2017|title=How Cassidy-Graham brings back preexisting conditions|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/18/16330574/cassidy-graham-preexisting-conditions|access-date=August 6, 2020|website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025542/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/18/16330574/cassidy-graham-preexisting-conditions|url-status=live}}</ref>

Graham is a cosponsor of the [[Healthy Americans Act]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

===Vaccines===
Graham criticized Senator [[Rand Paul]] after Paul said, "I've heard of many tragic cases of walking, talking, normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines." Graham said that Paul was "creating anxiety for no good reason" and "looking at this issue through a libertarian's eyes, not a physician's eyes".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/03/politics/measles-vaccines-lindsey-graham-rand-paul/index.html|title=Graham rebukes Paul on vaccines|work=CNN|first=Dana|last=Bash|author-link=Dana Bash|date=February 4, 2015|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025546/https://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/03/politics/measles-vaccines-lindsey-graham-rand-paul/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Graham continued:

{{blockquote|As to freedom, it is cherished, it is hard to come by, it is hard to hang on to. But freedom without responsibility is chaos, so to those who push the idea that freedom would allow an individual to do anything, anywhere, at any time, I reject. Your freedom ends where my ability to raise my family safely begins. So I would urge every American to vaccinate their children and I would reject any effort to stop vaccinations until someone can show me a scientific reason to do so.}}

===Abortion===
In 2015, Graham sponsored the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act in the Senate, which bans [[abortion]] after 20 weeks of [[gestation]] on a national basis, with some exceptions (to save the life of the mother, or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest).<ref>{{cite web |title=H.R.36 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/36 |website=[[congress.gov]] |date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=November 17, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025542/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/36 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Graham was [[anti-abortion]], but said that ''[[Roe v. Wade]]'' is precedent that should not be overturned without good reason.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/07/01/lindsey_graham_on_roe_v_wade_you_dont_overturn_precedent_unless_theres_a_good_reason.html|title=Lindsey Graham on Roe v. Wade: "You Don't Overturn Precedent Unless There's A Good Reason"|last=Hains|first=Tim|date=July 1, 2018|work=RealClearPolitics|access-date=December 18, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025550/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/07/01/lindsey_graham_on_roe_v_wade_you_dont_overturn_precedent_unless_theres_a_good_reason.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, he was one of 13 Republican senators who declined to sign an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn ''Roe''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/us/politics/republicans-abortion-supreme-court.html|title=More Than 200 Republicans Urge Supreme Court to Weigh Overturning Roe v. Wade|last=Stolberg|first=Sheryl Gay|date=January 2, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 4, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025554/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/02/us/politics/republicans-abortion-supreme-court.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/republican-senators-congressmen-ask-supreme-court-to-consider-overturning-roe-v-wade/|title=Republican senators and congressmen ask Supreme Court to consider overturning Roe v. Wade|work=[[CBS News]]|first=Grace|last=Segers|date=January 2, 2020|language=en-US|access-date=January 4, 2020|archive-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102212112/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/republican-senators-congressmen-ask-supreme-court-to-consider-overturning-roe-v-wade/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2022, Graham advocated that the Supreme Court overturn ''Roe'' to ensure that "every state will decide if abortion is legal and on what terms", as this would be "the most constitutionally sound way of dealing with this issue and the way the United States handled the issue until 1973."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hurley |first1=Lawrence |last2=Chung |first2=Andrew |last3=Brice |first3=Makini |title=Biden blasts 'radical' draft U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning abortion rights |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-supreme-court-potential-shock-move-abortion-sends-protesters-onto-washington-2022-05-03/ |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=May 4, 2022}}</ref> In June 2022, he asserted that all conservatives "believed that there's nothing in the Constitution giving the federal government the right to regulate abortion".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Karni |first=Annie |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Graham Proposes 15-Week Abortion Ban, Seeking to Unite Republicans |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/13/us/politics/lindsey-graham-abortion.html |access-date=September 13, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In August 2022, Graham said that "states should decide the issue of abortion" and that he had "been consistent" on this.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Saric |first1=Ivana |title=Lindsey Graham says let states decide on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/08/07/lindsey-graham-same-sex-marriage-states |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=September 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bowden |first1=John |title=Lindsey Graham taunted for making complete U-turn on whether states should decide abortion rights |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/lindsey-graham-abortion-reversal-interview-b2171328.html |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=[[The Independent]] |date=September 21, 2022}}</ref>

Despite previously saying that abortion should be left up to the states, in September 2022 Graham introduced legislation to institute a federal ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the patient.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sen. Graham introduces bill to ban abortion nationwide at 15 weeks |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-graham-introduces-bill-ban-abortion-nationwide-15-weeks-rcna47530 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> He said: "This is not a states' rights issue. This is a human right issue ... I am going to advocate a national minimum standard."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weixel |first1=Nathaniel |title=Graham: Abortion 'not a states' rights issue' |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3651788-graham-abortion-not-a-states-rights-issue/ |access-date=September 22, 2022 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=September 20, 2022}}</ref> His proposed legislation would force states to ban abortion after 15 weeks, but it would not require states to allow it up to that point.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graham Introduces Legislation to Protect Unborn Children, Bring U.S. Abortion Policy in Line with Other Developed Nations |url=https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2022/9/graham-introduces-legislation-to-protect-unborn-children-bring-u-s-abortion-policy-in-line-with-other-developed-nations |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=United States Senator Lindsey Graham |language=en}}</ref>

===LGBTQ+ rights===
In 1996, Graham voted for the [[Defense of Marriage Act]],<ref>{{cite news  | title = 104th Congress / House / 2nd session / Vote 300  | series = The U.S. Congress Votes Database  |newspaper=The Washington Post  | date = July 11, 1996 | url = http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/104/house/2/votes/300/  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081015194237/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/104/house/2/votes/300/  | url-status = dead  | archive-date = October 15, 2008 | access-date =July 20, 2009}}</ref> which became federal law that year; it defined marriage as between one man and one woman, and enacted non-recognition of same-sex marriages at the federal level.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garver |first1=Rob |title=Same-Sex Marriage Bill Advances in US Congress |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/same-sex-marriage-bill-advances-in-us-congress-/6670650.html |access-date=August 9, 2022 |work=[[Voice of America]] |date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> Graham reiterated his support of the Defense of Marriage Act in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=CNN asked all 50 GOP senators if they will support the same-sex marriage bill. Here's where they stand. |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/20/politics/gop-senators-same-sex-marriage/index.html |access-date=August 9, 2022 |work=[[CNN]] |date=July 21, 2022}}</ref>

Graham voted to support [[Federal Marriage Amendment|a constitutional amendment opposing marriage]] between same-sex couples in 2006. He said, "I believe in the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. Traditional marriage is an institution worth protecting and this amendment will accomplish that goal. A constitutional amendment is the only effective way to cut off the growing trend among judges to create a constitutional right to same-sex marriage."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2006/6/post-07938912-868f-4446-88ff-fa1aa537b073|title=Graham Supports Constitutional Amendment Protecting Traditional Marriage|first1=Wes|last1=Hickman|first2=Kevin|last2=Bishop|publisher=Office of Senator Lindsey Graham|website=lgraham.senate.gov|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025538/https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2006/6/post-07938912-868f-4446-88ff-fa1aa537b073|url-status=live}}</ref> After the Supreme Court ruling in ''[[Obergefell v. Hodges]]'', Graham said that although he disagreed with the ruling, he no longer believed that a constitutional amendment was a viable action on the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Voter's Self Defense System |url=http://votesmart.org/ |access-date=April 12, 2022 |website=Vote Smart}}</ref>

In August 2022, after the House of Representatives approved [[Respect for Marriage Act|a bill to recognize same-sex marriages at the federal level]] and that bill was sent to the Senate, Graham said that "states should decide the issue of marriage [...] if you're going to ask me to have the federal government take over defining marriage, I'm going to say no".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Saric |first1=Ivana |title=Lindsey Graham says let states decide on same-sex marriage |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/08/07/lindsey-graham-same-sex-marriage-states |access-date=August 9, 2022 |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |date=August 7, 2022}}</ref>

===Climate change===
On December 10, 2009, Graham and senators [[John Kerry]] and [[Joe Lieberman]] co-sponsored a letter to President Obama announcing their commitment to passing a [[climate change]] bill and outlining its framework.<ref name=bogdown>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-28-la-na-graham-20100428-story.html |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham's bipartisan efforts bog down |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |first1=Jim |last1=Tankersley |first2=Richard |last2=Simon |date=April 28, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025559/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-28-la-na-graham-20100428-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://greenenergyreporter.com/2009/12/kerry-lieberman-graham-reveal-their-climate-plan/|title=Kerry-Lieberman-Graham Reveal Their Climate Plan|website=greenenergyreporter.com|date=December 10, 2009|access-date=April 14, 2010|archive-date=March 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308152012/http://greenenergyreporter.com/2009/12/kerry-lieberman-graham-reveal-their-climate-plan/|url-status=dead}}, Green Energy Reporter</ref> Graham was identified as a potential Republican supporter of a [[climate change]] bill and thought to be a likely sponsor of the final bill,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/01/27/27climatewire-got-ideas-about-a-climate-bill-kerry-graham-64375.html |newspaper=The New York Times |department=Energy & Environment |title=Got Ideas About a Climate Bill? Kerry, Graham and Lieberman Want to Hear From You |date=January 27, 2010 |first=Darren |last=Samuelsohn |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025544/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/01/27/27climatewire-got-ideas-about-a-climate-bill-kerry-graham-64375.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but he pulled his support, saying that he disapproved of Senate Democrats moving forward with legislation to deal with immigration issues, a reaction to [[Arizona SB1070|Arizona's passage of an illegal immigration law]]. Graham's withdrawal of support left passage of the climate change bill in doubt.<ref name="broder">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/us/politics/25graham.html|title=Graham Pulls Support for Major Senate Climate Bill|first=John M.|last=Broder|date=April 24, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025539/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/us/politics/25graham.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2010, Graham told reporters, "The science about global warming has changed. I think they've oversold this stuff, quite frankly. I think they've been alarmist and the science is in question. The whole movement has taken a giant step backward."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://motherjones.com/blue-marble/2010/06/graham-takes-climate-denial-plunge |title=Lindsey Graham Said What About Climate Change? |magazine=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |date=June 9, 2010 |first=Kate |last=Sheppard |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025541/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/06/graham-takes-climate-denial-plunge/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He also said that he planned to vote against the climate bill he had originally co-sponsored, citing further restriction of [[offshore drilling]] added to the bill and its impact on transportation.<ref name="broder"/> In 2015, Graham said he "completely understand[s] and accept[s]" that climate change is real, but said "I don't know" the role human activity played.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/230316-senate-votes-98-1-that-climate-change-is-real/|title=Senate votes that climate change is real|last=Weaver|first=Dustin|date=January 21, 2015|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=May 3, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090248/https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/230316-senate-votes-98-1-that-climate-change-is-real|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Graham sponsored the Growing Climate Solutions Act, a bill that would make it simpler for farmers to sell carbon credits on existing carbon trading markets in California and in the Northeast.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://grist.org/politics/republican-party-climate-change/ |title=Feeling the Heat |date=October 14, 2020 |access-date=January 4, 2021 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107025530/https://grist.org/politics/republican-party-climate-change/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2023, Graham and [[Bill Cassidy]] co-sponsored the Foreign Pollution Fee Act. Endorsed by the [[Sierra Club]], the bill (S. 3198; referred to the [[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Senate Finance Committee]]) proposed imposing a [[Eco-tariff|carbon tariff]] on energy and industrial [[import]]s based on the good's [[emission intensity]] or [[carbon footprint]] as compared with the same domestic good to impose a [[carbon price]] on goods from [[List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions|countries with greater greenhouse gas emissions]] than the [[Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States|United States]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Budryk|first=Zach|date=November 2, 2023|title=Republican bill would impose fee on imports from foreign polluters|work=The Hill|publisher=Nexstar Media Group|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4290427-republican-bill-would-impose-fee-imports-foreign-polluters/|access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Siegel|first=Josh|date=November 2, 2023|title=Senate Republicans introduce a climate bill — aimed at China|website=Politico|publisher=Axel Springer SE|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/02/senate-gop-climate-bill-china-00124909|access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Senate – November 2, 2023|journal=[[Congressional Record]]|volume=169|issue=181|publisher=[[United States Government Publishing Office|U.S. Government Printing Office]]|pages=S5338|url=https://www.congress.gov/118/crec/2023/11/02/169/181/CREC-2023-11-02-pt1-PgS5338.pdf|access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:總統出席接見美國聯邦參議院軍事委員會馬侃（John McCain）主席訪問團 (27455615196).jpg|thumb|250px|[[Taiwan]]'s President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] meets with senators Graham, John McCain, [[Tom Cotton]], [[John Barrasso]], [[Cory Gardner]], [[Joni Ernst]], and [[Dan Sullivan (U.S. senator)|Dan Sullivan]] in June 2016.]]

===Foreign policy===
Graham supports an [[Interventionism (politics)|interventionist]] foreign policy.<ref name=hawksback>{{cite web|url=http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/return-gop-hawks_808506.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005061127/http://www.weeklystandard.com/articles/return-gop-hawks_808506.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2014|title=The Return of the GOP Hawks|date=October 13, 2014|access-date=October 9, 2014|work=[[The Weekly Standard]]|first=Stephen F.|last=Hayes|author-link=Stephen F. Hayes}}</ref> In 2002, he voted for the [[Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002|Iraq Resolution]], which authorized military action against [[Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2002/h455|title=H.J.Res. 114 (107th): Authorization for Use of Military Force Against ... -- House Vote #455 -- Oct 10, 2002|website=GovTrack|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025556/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2002/h455|url-status=live}}</ref> He also supported the invasion of Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2003/3/post-d287bd99-932e-4ce5-88fa-70b6c806f271|title=Statement from Lindsey Graham on War with Iraq|first1=Wes|last1=Hickman|first2=Kevin|last2=Bishop|publisher=Office of United States Senator Lindsey Graham|website=lgraham.senate.gov|date=March 19, 2003|access-date=September 29, 2020}}</ref> Graham and senators [[John McCain]] and [[Joe Lieberman]], who were frequently dubbed "the three amigos", traveled widely, pushing for American military intervention, particularly after the [[September 11 attacks]]. Their influence reached its zenith in 2007 as President Bush advocated for his [[Iraq War troop surge of 2007|surge strategy]] in Iraq, declining shortly before Lieberman retired from the Senate in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/us/politics/liebermans-retirement-is-end-of-three-amigos.html |first=Jennifer |last=Steinhauer |author-link=Jennifer Steinhauer |title=Foreign Policy's Bipartisan Trio Becomes Republican Duo |work=The New York Times |date=November 26, 2012 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025547/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/us/politics/liebermans-retirement-is-end-of-three-amigos.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2012/11/30/897dfbb6-3a5f-11e2-8a97-363b0f9a0ab3_story.html |title=Sen. Ayotte offers GOP an influential new voice |first=Rosalind S. |last=Helderman |author-link=Rosalind S. Helderman |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025554/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2012/11/30/897dfbb6-3a5f-11e2-8a97-363b0f9a0ab3_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kelly Ayotte]], who joined the Senate in 2011, was considered Lieberman's replacement in the group.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/334442/ayotte-and-amigos-katrina-trinko |title=Ayotte and the Amigos |first=Katrina |last=Trinko |work=National Review |date=November 29, 2012 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025549/https://www.nationalreview.com/2012/11/ayotte-and-amigos-katrina-trinko/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/31/right-place-right-time/dnPeK8l8rfQwKPLf3Fa2rJ/story.html |title=In the right place at the right time |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |first=Sarah |last=Schweitzer |date=July 31, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025545/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/07/31/right-place-right-time/dnPeK8l8rfQwKPLf3Fa2rJ/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Graham was a frequent critic of the [[foreign policy of the Barack Obama administration]]. He threatened to derail the confirmation of Obama's nominee for secretary of defense, Republican former senator [[Chuck Hagel]], a centrist.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2007/01/surprise-party/305557/ Surprise Party], ''[[The Atlantic]]'', Joshua Greene, January/February 2007. Retrieved August 17, 2023.</ref> Graham remarked that Hagel "would be the most antagonistic secretary of defense towards the state of Israel in our nation's history."<ref>{{cite web|last=Larotonda|first=Matthew|date=January 6, 2013|title=Obama Will Nominate Chuck Hagel as Next Defense Secretary|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/01/obama-will-nominate-chuck-hagel-as-next-defense-secretary/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025553/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/01/obama-will-nominate-chuck-hagel-as-next-defense-secretary/|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=August 10, 2014|work=ABC News}}</ref>

On February 28, 2013, Graham criticized Obama and both political parties on the Senate floor for allowing the [[Sequester (2013)|budget reduction]] to occur with "two-thirds of the budget" exempt from reductions and said the impact on the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] would create a "hollow military" that "invites aggression".<ref>{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=February 28, 2013|title=Awesome|url=http://www.c-spanvideo.org/clip/4370441|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025601/https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4370441%2Fuser-clip-awesome|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=March 4, 2013|work=Senators on Automatic Spending Cuts Feb 28, 2013|publisher=C-SPAN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Herb|first=Jeremy|date=February 28, 2013|title=OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Senate bills fail on sequester's eve|newspaper=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/143495-overnight-defense-senate-bills-fail-on-sequesters-eve/|url-status=live|access-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025556/https://thehill.com/policy/defense/285635-overnight-defense-senate-bills-fail-on-sequesters-eve|archive-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Friedman|first=Dan|date=February 28, 2013|title=Capitol Hill lawmakers still show no desire to compromise to lessen economic impact of $85 billion in automatic spending cuts, set to hit books March 1|newspaper=New York Daily News|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/congress-stop-sequester-prayer-article-1.1276597|access-date=March 4, 2013|archive-date=June 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617120440/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/congress-stop-sequester-prayer-article-1.1276597|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rowland|first=Kara|date=February 28, 2013|title=Senator Lindsey Graham blasts fellow Republicans and President Obama|newspaper=Fox News|url=http://gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com/2013/02/28/senator-lindsey-graham-blasts-fellow-republicans-and-president-obama/|url-status=dead|access-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426125403/http://gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com/2013/02/28/senator-lindsey-graham-blasts-fellow-republicans-and-president-obama/|archive-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref>

==== War in Afghanistan ====
[[File:USMC-101111-M-1558F-032.jpg|thumb|[[John McCain]] and Lindsey Graham, along with Lt. Gen. [[Richard P. Mills (general)|Richard P. Mills]], in [[Afghanistan]], 2010]]
{{Main|War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)}}

Graham suggested that the U.S. stay in Afghanistan permanently, claiming that this would benefit both nations, as the U.S. would have a clear idea of what was happening in the region on a daily basis, and [[Afghan National Security Forces|Afghan security forces]] would have an edge militarily to ensure that Afghanistan never fell back into the hands of the [[Taliban]].<ref>{{cite web|date=January 3, 2011|title=Senator wants Karzai to address corruption, U.S. to set up air base|url=http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/01/03/senator-wants-karzai-address-corruption-us-set-air-base|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313034729/http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/01/03/senator-wants-karzai-address-corruption-us-set-air-base|archive-date=March 13, 2012|access-date=January 18, 2011|publisher=[[Pajhwok Afghan News]]}}</ref> He further claimed that [[Politics of Afghanistan|Afghan leaders]] accept this long-term U.S. military presence since it benefits them, but Iran and some of its allies oppose it, a debatable claim.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 8, 2011|title=US presence fueling insecurity in region: Iran|url=http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/03/08/us-presence-fuelling-insecurity-region-iran|access-date=March 8, 2011|publisher=Pajhwok Afghan News|archive-date=January 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121152729/https://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/03/08/us-presence-fuelling-insecurity-region-iran|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{external media|video1=[https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/senator-graham-on-president-bidens-afghanistan-strategy/592250 "Senator Graham on President Biden's Afghanistan Strategy"] on [[C-SPAN]]}}
Graham vehemently opposed [[Joe Biden]]'s decision to [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2020–2021)|withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan]], originally agreed to by the first Trump administration.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Time to end the forever war': Biden to start U.S. Afghanistan pullout on May 1 |last1=Holland |first1=Steve |date=April 13, 2021 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/biden-ready-announce-us-withdrawal-even-peace-eludes-afghanistan-2021-04-14/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=[[Reuters]] |last2=Stewart |first2=Phil }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Biden's goal: Ending 'America's longest war' in Afghanistan |date=April 14, 2021 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/14/bidens-goal-ending-americas-longest-war-in-afghanistan |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=[[Al Jazeera]] }}</ref> He predicted that the decision would put the U.S. in danger and could cause "another 9/11".<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Bess|last=Levin|date=April 14, 2021|title=Lindsey Graham Claims Biden Will Cause 'Another 9/11' With Afghan Pullout|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/04/lindsey-graham-joe-biden-afghanistan-911|access-date=March 1, 2025|magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|language=en}}</ref> Soon after the withdrawal started, the Taliban launched an [[2021 Taliban offensive|offensive against the Afghan government]], quickly advancing in front of the collapsing [[Afghan Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Nic |title=Afghanistan is disintegrating fast as Biden's troop withdrawal continues |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/24/asia/afghanistan-taliban-offensive-intl-cmd/index.html |work=CNN|date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> On July 8, 2021, Graham called Biden's decision a "disaster in the making".<ref>{{cite news |title=Graham calls Biden's Afghanistan decision a 'disaster in the making' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/562151-graham-calls-bidens-afghanistan-decision-a-disaster-in-the-making/ |work=The Hill |date=July 8, 2021}}</ref>

==== Iran ====
On November 6, 2010, Graham called for a preemptive military strike to weaken the [[Politics of Iran|Iranian regime]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wightman |first1=Ken |title=Lindsey Graham argues military action against Iran possible |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/299905 |website=digitaljournal.com |date=November 7, 2010 |access-date=February 9, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025543/http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/299905 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, he supported a continuing U.S. military presence in Iraq, saying, "If we're not smart enough to work with the Iraqis to have 10,000 to 15,000 American troops in Iraq in 2012, Iraq could go to hell."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Graham: Iraq may "go to hell" without US troops |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/graham-iraq-may-go-to-hell-without-us-troops/ |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=CBS News |date=April 3, 2011 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On an episode of ''[[Fox and Friends]]'', Graham joked that it would be "terrible" if a DNA test showed he had Iranian ancestry. Co-host Brian Kilmeade responded, "Well, they have great people, just bad leaders," which Graham confirmed.<ref name="rferl.org">{{cite web|last=Esfandiari|first=Golnaz|date=October 18, 2018|title=Iranian-Americans Call Out U.S. Senator Graham For 'Terrible' Ancestry Gaffe|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-americans-call-out-u-s-senator-graham-for-terrible-ancestry-gaffe/29550939.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025616/https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-americans-call-out-u-s-senator-graham-for-terrible-ancestry-gaffe/29550939.html|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=September 29, 2020|website=[[RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty]]}}</ref><ref name="Graham-dna">{{cite news|last=Anapol|first=Avery|date=October 17, 2018|title=Iranian-American group calls on Graham to apologize for 'disgusting' DNA remark|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/411668-iranian-american-group-calls-on-graham-to-apologize-for-disgusting-dna-remark/|url-status=live|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025616/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/411668-iranian-american-group-calls-on-graham-to-apologize-for-disgusting-dna-remark|archive-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> The president of the [[National Iranian American Council]]<ref name="Graham-dna" /> and a number of high-profile [[Iranian-Americans]] criticized Graham's comments.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Brien|first=Sara Ashley|date=October 17, 2018|title=Tech execs want Senator Graham to apologize over Iranian remark|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/17/tech/lindsey-graham-iranian-comments/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025610/https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/17/tech/lindsey-graham-iranian-comments/index.html|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=September 29, 2020|website=CNN}}</ref><ref name="rferl.org" />

During the [[Gaza war]], Graham called for the U.S. to threaten [[Petroleum industry in Iran|Iran's oil infrastructure]] if the conflict escalated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nazzaro |first=Miranda |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Graham: US should threaten Iranian oil infrastructure |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/4246338-graham-us-should-threaten-iranian-oil-infrastructure/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014175047/https://thehill.com/policy/international/4246338-graham-us-should-threaten-iranian-oil-infrastructure/ |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In a [[CNN]] interview, he called for the U.S. and Israel to bomb Iran even if it wasn't involved in [[Hamas]]'s [[Operation Al-Aqsa Flood|attack on Israel]]. He also said that the U.S. would win a war with Iran if it broke out.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2023 |title=US and Israel should bomb Iran: Senator Lindsey Graham |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231012-us-and-israel-should-bomb-iran-senator-lindsey-graham/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014214942/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231012-us-and-israel-should-bomb-iran-senator-lindsey-graham/ |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=[[Middle East Monitor]]}}</ref>

==== Russia ====
[[File:President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko presented state awards to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, 30 December 2016 (2).jpeg|thumb|Ukrainian president [[Petro Poroshenko]] presents the [[Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise]] to Graham, December 30, 2016]]In December 2010, Graham was one of 26 senators to vote against the ratification of [[New START|New Start]],<ref>{{cite web |first=Mark |last=Memmott |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/12/22/132262684/senate-ratifies-start |title=Senate Ratifies START |work=NPR |date=December 22, 2010 |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331202810/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/12/22/132262684/senate-ratifies-start |url-status=live }}</ref> a [[Nuclear disarmament|nuclear arms reduction]] treaty between the U.S. and the [[Russia|Russian Federation]] obliging both countries to have no more than 1,550 strategic warheads or 700 launchers deployed during the next seven years along with providing a continuation of on-site inspections that halted when [[START I]] expired the previous year. It was the first arms treaty with Russia in eight years.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html|title=Senate Passes Arms Control Treaty With Russia, 71-26|first=Peter|last=Baker|work=The New York Times|date=December 22, 2010|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=December 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229151646/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/23/world/europe/23treaty.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2011, Graham co-sponsored a resolution that contended that "Russia's invasion of Georgian land in 2008 was an act of aggression, not only to Georgia but to all new democracies."{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

On July 16, 2013, Graham suggested the United States should consider boycotting the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi, Russia]], because of "what the Russian government is doing throughout the world".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hunt|first1=Kasie|last2=O'Donnell|first2=Kelly|date=July 17, 2013|title=Graham: US should consider Olympic boycott over possible Snowden asylum|url=http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/17/19510080-graham-us-should-consider-olympic-boycott-over-possible-snowden-asylum|work=NBC News|access-date=July 17, 2013|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025549/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election|url-status=live}}</ref>

===== Russo-Ukrainian War =====
On March 3, 2022, in response to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Graham tweeted, "The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out", referring to [[Vladimir Putin]]. The tweet, which was viewed as suggesting that a Russian resident should assassinate Putin, drew backlash from American politicians, who condemned the idea and proposed heavier sanctions instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/04/1084548984/lindsey-graham-putin |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham's apparent call for Putin to be assassinated draws backlash |work=NPR |last=Chappell |first=Bill |date=March 4, 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2022}}</ref>

On May 26, 2023, the [[Office of the President of Ukraine]] released an edited video showing Graham talking to Ukrainian president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] and remarking that "the Russians are dying", followed by a comment that the [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|American military assistance to Ukraine]] was the "best money we've ever spent".<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2023 |title=Russia issues arrest warrant for Lindsey Graham over Ukraine comments |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-lindsey-graham-arrest-warrant-52ea51c2f33145badbd0666c4e42da36 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2023 |title=Russia issues arrest warrant for Lindsey Graham over comments on war in Ukraine |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/russia-issues-arrest-warrant-for-lindsey-graham-over-comments-on-war-in-ukraine |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}}</ref> In response, Graham was sharply criticized by the deputy chairman of the [[Security Council of Russia]], [[Dmitry Medvedev]]. The Office of the president of Ukraine later released the unedited version of the interview, clarifying that Graham's two remarks were unrelated.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Roulette |first1=Joey |last2=Faulconbridge |first2=Guy |date=May 28, 2023 |title=Dismissing Russian criticism, U.S. Senator Graham praises Ukrainian resistance |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-condemns-us-senator-grahams-comments-death-russians-2023-05-28/ |access-date=May 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Faulconbridge |first=Guy |date=May 29, 2023 |title=Russia puts U.S. Senator Graham on wanted list - Russian media |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-puts-us-senator-graham-wanted-list-russian-media-2023-05-29/ |access-date=May 29, 2023}}</ref>
[[File:Congressional Delegation led by Lindsey Graham visited Kyiv, Ukraine, Mar 18, 2024 - 53641636437.jpg|thumb|Graham with Ukrainian prime minister [[Denys Shmyhal]] in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 18, 2024]]
On May 29, 2023, the [[Russian Interior Ministry]] issued an arrest warrant for Graham for his comments about the war. In response, Graham tweeted that the news brought him "immense joy" and that he would "wear the arrest warrant issued by Putin's corrupt and immoral government as a Badge of Honor".<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia issues arrest warrant for Lindsey Graham over Ukraine comments |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-lindsey-graham-arrest-warrant-52ea51c2f33145badbd0666c4e42da36 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |work=AP NEWS |date=May 29, 2023}}</ref> In a follow-up tweet, Graham added that he would submit to the jurisdiction of the [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC) should Russia attempt to serve the warrant.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 29, 2023 |title=Lindsey Graham: Russia issues arrest warrant for top Republican |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65749077 |access-date=May 29, 2023}}</ref>

On February 13, 2024, Graham voted against the Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan appropriations bill because it included an effort by senators [[James Lankford]], [[Kyrsten Sinema]], and [[Chuck Schumer]] to control the [[US-Mexico border]].<ref name="fox1">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/graham-who-voted-against-senate-foreign-aid-bill-very-optimistic-house-proposal |title=Lindsey Graham, who voted against Senate foreign aid bill, 'very optimistic' about House proposal |date=February 19, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="abc1">{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-vote-aid-bill-israel-taiwan-ukraine/story?id=107174930 | title=Senate passes $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, but tough path ahead in House }}</ref> In April, the House returned the appropriations as four separate bills.<ref name="pbs1">{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/95-billion-aid-package-for-ukraine-israel-and-taiwan-up-for-senate-vote-after-months-of-delay |title=$95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan up for Senate vote after months of delay |date=April 23, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="hill1">{{cite news |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4615779-ukraine-israel-aid-bill-senate-vote/ |title=Senate tees up Ukraine, Israel aid bill for final passage |date=April 23, 2024 }}</ref> Graham [[2024 United States federal budget#Senate vote|joined 79 colleagues]] and the majority of his caucus in passing the appropriations, which Schumer packaged as one bill.<ref name="cnn1">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/23/politics/senate-vote-israel-ukraine-aid-dg/index.html |title=How each US senator voted on the $95 billion foreign aid package &#124; CNN Politics |date=April 24, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="gua1">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/23/senate-aid-bill-ukraine-israel-taiwan |title=US Senate passes $95bn in aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan |newspaper=The Guardian |date=April 24, 2024 |last1=Gambino |first1=Lauren |last2=Greve |first2=Joan E. }}</ref><ref name="pbs2">{{cite news |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/senate-overwhelmingly-passes-aid-for-ukraine-israel-and-taiwan-in-big-bipartisan-vote |title=Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in big bipartisan vote |date=April 23, 2024 }}</ref>

In 2025, Graham supported [[secondary sanctions]] against Russia that would impose 500% [[Tariffs in the second Trump administration|tariffs]] on countries that buy [[Petroleum industry in Russia|Russian oil]], [[Natural gas in Russia|natural gas]], [[Mining industry of Russia|uranium]] and other exports.<ref>{{cite news |title=US Senate may work on Russia sanctions bill this month |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-may-work-russia-sanctions-bill-this-month-2025-06-02/ |work=Reuters |date=June 2, 2025}}</ref>

==== Libya ====
Graham supported the NATO-led [[2011 military intervention in Libya|military intervention in Libya]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-rights-bizarre-response-to-libya-events/2011/03/04/gIQAPprNWJ_blog.html|title=The right's bizarre response to Libya events|newspaper=The Washington Post|first=Adam|last=Serwer|author-link=Adam Serwer|date=August 22, 2011|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025556/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-rights-bizarre-response-to-libya-events/2011/03/04/gIQAPprNWJ_blog.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 29, 2013, Graham said that Secretary of State [[Hillary Clinton]] "got away with murder" after her testimony about the [[2012 Benghazi attack]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/lindsey-graham-hillary-clinton-got-away-with-murder-86870.html#ixzz2JOHORzgN|title=Lindsey Graham: 'Hillary Clinton got away with murder'|first=Breanna|last=Edwards|work=Politico|date=January 29, 2013|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025605/https://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/lindsey-graham-hillary-clinton-got-away-with-murder-086870#ixzz2JOHORzgN|url-status=live}}</ref> but the next year he said that the [[House Intelligence Committee]] report on Benghazi was "full of crap" and that the Obama administration had been cleared of many of the charges therein.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2014/11/23/sen-graham-benghazi-report-is-full-of-crap/ |title=Sen Graham: Benghazi Report is "full of crap" |date=November 23, 2014 |work=CNN|access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-date=November 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126155727/http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2014/11/23/sen-graham-benghazi-report-is-full-of-crap/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/23/graham-house-benghazi-report-full-crap/ |title=Lindsey Graham: House Benghazi report is 'full of crap' |first=Jacqueline |last=Klimas |date=November 23, 2014 |work=The Washington Times |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025550/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/23/graham-house-benghazi-report-full-crap/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lindsey-graham-house-benghazi-report-full-of-crap/ |title=Lindsey Graham: House Benghazi report "full of crap" |first=Jake |last=Miller |date=November 23, 2014 |work=CBS News |access-date=November 23, 2014 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025546/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lindsey-graham-house-benghazi-report-full-of-crap/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Israel/Palestine ====
[[File:Embassy Dedication Ceremony (41431882324).jpg|thumb|280px|Graham attended the opening of the [[Embassy of the United States, Jerusalem|U.S. Embassy to Israel]] in [[Jerusalem]] in May 2018]]
[[File:Senator Lindsey Graham visit to Israel9644PR (46431823695).jpg|thumb|Graham with Israeli prime minister [[Benyamin Netanyahu]] on March 15, 2019]]
{{Proseline section|date=May 2024}}
On January 5, 2017, Graham condemned Obama for abstaining from [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334|UN Security Council Resolution 2334]], which condemned [[Israeli settlement|Israeli settlement building]] in the [[West Bank]] and [[eastern Jerusalem]] as a violation of international law.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/311712-obama-faces-widespread-backlash-after-abstaining-from-un-israel-vote/|title=Obama faces widespread backlash after abstaining from UN Israel vote|last=Kheel|first=Rebecca|date=December 23, 2016|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025550/https://thehill.com/policy/defense/311712-obama-faces-widespread-backlash-after-abstaining-from-un-israel-vote|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 11, 2019, Graham said he would encourage the Trump administration to recognize the [[Golan Heights]] as part of Israel.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 11, 2019|title=Trump ally Graham says he'll lobby White House for Golan recognition|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-ally-graham-says-hell-lobby-white-house-for-golan-recognition/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025605/https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-ally-graham-says-hell-lobby-white-house-for-golan-recognition/|archive-date=November 17, 2020|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|language=en-US|access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref>

On October 10, 2023, Graham tweeted that he "unapologetically stand[s] with Israel" during the [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Sen. Lindsey Graham to host roundtable discussion on Israel-Hamas war |url=https://abcnews4.com/news/local/sen-lindsey-graham-to-host-roundtable-discussion-on-israel-hamas-conflict-abc-news-wciv-news-4-politics-state-politics |work=[[WCIV]] |date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> He called the conflict a "religious war" and said that [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]] should be "flattened".<ref>{{cite news|title=US right heats up inflammatory rhetoric on Palestine as Muslim groups worry|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/19/extreme-republican-palestine-conflict-us-muslim-safety|last=McGreal|first=Chris|date=October 19, 2023|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522213910/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/19/extreme-republican-palestine-conflict-us-muslim-safety|archive-date=May 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> On October 31, 2023, Graham said that no amount of [[Casualties of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war|civilian casualties in Gaza]] would lead him to question Israel's goal of eradicating [[Hamas]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Graham says "no limit" of Palestinian deaths would make him question Israel|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4286928-graham-no-limit-palestinian-deaths-question-israel/|last=Fortinsky|first=Sarah|date=November 1, 2023|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=November 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lindsey Graham says there is 'no limit' to the number of civilians it's justifiable for Israel to kill in its war on Hamas |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-says-no-limit-to-civilians-its-justifiable-for-israel-to-kill-2023-11|last=Porter|first=Tom|date=November 1, 2023|work=[[Business Insider]]|access-date=November 19, 2023}}</ref>

On March 9, 2024, Graham said, "For decades now, Palestinian children have been taught through [[UNRWA]] and other agencies to kill all the Jews" and "somebody needs to pull the Palestinian school system up by its roots and destroy it."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gop-senator-graham-unrwa-is-dead-to-the-united-states/|title=GOP Senator Graham: UNRWA is 'dead' to the United States|last=Berman|first=Lazar|date=March 27, 2024|website=[[The Times of Israel]]|access-date=May 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522213041/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gop-senator-graham-unrwa-is-dead-to-the-united-states/|archive-date=May 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 8, 2024, Graham warned the Pentagon against halting arms supply to Israel during the [[Gaza war]], saying, "Give Israel what they need to fight the war they can't afford to lose. This is Hiroshima and Nagasaki on steroids."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/senator-lindsey-graham-warns-pentagon-against-halting-arms-supply-to-israel-this-is-hiroshima-nagasaki-101715270978818.html|title=Senator Lindsey Graham warns Pentagon against halting arms supply to Israel: 'This is Hiroshima & Nagasaki...'|last=Kukreti|first=Shweta|date=May 9, 2024|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en|access-date=May 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522214052/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/senator-lindsey-graham-warns-pentagon-against-halting-arms-supply-to-israel-this-is-hiroshima-nagasaki-101715270978818.html|archive-date=May 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=The Recount |date=May 8, 2024 |title="This is Hiroshima and Nagasaki on steroids": Lindsey Graham rails against U.S. pausing shipments of bombs to Israel. |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/hiroshima-nagasaki-steroids-lindsey-graham-131426865.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508204554/https://www.yahoo.com/news/web/20240508204554/https://www.yahoo.com/news/hiroshima-nagasaki-steroids-lindsey-graham-131426865.html |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |website=[[Yahoo! News]] |language=en-US }}</ref> This statement caused a debate in the Japanese [[National Diet]]. [[Taku Yamazoe]] and [[Jin Matsubara]] protested to Foreign Minister [[Yōko Kamikawa]].<ref>[https://www.jcp.or.jp/akahata/aik24/2024-05-26/2024052602_03_0.html 原爆正当化　抗議は皆無 再三の米政治家発言に政府]</ref><ref name="sankei1">{{cite web|url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20240510-5GSPWIQXYNM3LKZJMH2CQYSWQY/|title=米議員の広島・長崎原爆引用、上川外相「受け入れられぬ」松原仁氏「怒りを込めて抗議を」|last=Okuhara|first=Shinpei|date=May 10, 2024|website=[[Sankei Shimbun]]|language=ja|access-date=May 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522214312/https://www.sankei.com/article/20240510-5GSPWIQXYNM3LKZJMH2CQYSWQY/|archive-date=May 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> Matsubara said, "The US is Japan's greatest ally, but the Japanese should be firm with the US on lines that they cannot cross."<ref name="sankei1" /> Kamikawa told the parliamentary committee, "The atomic bombings took many precious lives and forced people to face unspeakable hardships such as illnesses and disabilities, creating a situation that is extremely regrettable from a humanitarian point of view." She emphasized that the use of nuclear weapons is "not consistent with the spirit of humanitarianism because of their tremendously destructive and lethal power."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240510_34/|title=Japan FM reacts to US Senate atomic bombings remarks|date=May 10, 2024|website=[[NHK World-Japan]]|language=en|access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref> On May 14, Kamikawa said that Graham's remarks were "extremely regrettable".<ref>{{Cite web |last=日本放送協会 |date=May 14, 2024 |title=米共和党上院議員の原爆めぐる発言 上川外相「極めて残念」 {{!}} NHK |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240514/k10014449121000.html |access-date=May 29, 2024 |website=NHKニュース}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan's foreign minister expresses regret over US senator's atomic bomb remarks {{!}} NHK WORLD-JAPAN News |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240515_17/ |access-date=May 29, 2024 |website=NHK WORLD |language=en}}</ref> [[Nihon Hidankyō]] sent a letter of protest to the U.S. Embassy in Japan that said: "This statement is also in violation of international humanitarian law. With the Nuclear Weapons Convention now in effect, it can only be called an anachronistic and malicious delusion".<ref>[https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240515/k10014450231000.html 米議員の原爆発言 被団協が米大使館に撤回求め抗議文]</ref>

[[File:United States Senator Lindsey Graham visits Kibbutz Kfar Aza on January 4, 2024 - 59.jpg|thumb|Graham visits Kibbutz [[Kfar Aza]] in Israel on January 4, 2024]]
On May 10, Graham said that he trusts Israel more than he does [[US Secretary of Defense|U.S. Secretary of Defense]] [[Lloyd Austin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4655780-graham-trusts-israel-more-than-austin/|title=Graham says he trusts Israel more than Pentagon chief|last=Irwin|first=Lauren|date=May 10, 2024|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref>

On May 11, Graham and 11 other Republican senators introduced a resolution condemning the Biden administration's actions to withhold or restrict ammunition and weapons to Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews4.com/news/local/sen-graham-opposes-bidens-threat-to-limit-weapons-to-israel-over-rafah-invasion-joe-biden-cnn-lindsey-graham-abc-wciv-news-4-2024|title=Sen. Graham opposes Biden's threat to limit weapons to Israel over Rafah invasion|last=Kayanja|first=Ian|date=May 10, 2024|website=[[ABC News 4]]|access-date=May 11, 2024}}</ref>

In a May 12 interview, Graham again defended bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II and said, "Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war. They can't afford to lose."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/sen-lindsey-graham-says-israel-whatever-comparing-war-gaza-hiroshima-n-rcna151828|title=Sen. Lindsey Graham says Israel should do 'whatever' it has to while comparing the war in Gaza to Hiroshima and Nagasaki|last=Marquez|first=Alexandra|date=May 12, 2024|website=[[NBC News]]|access-date=May 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522212602/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/sen-lindsey-graham-says-israel-whatever-comparing-war-gaza-hiroshima-n-rcna151828|archive-date=May 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> This statement attracted international attention. [[The Independent]], [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] and [[India Today]] reported that Graham suggested that a nuclear strike on Gaza should be carried out.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/lindsey-graham-gaza-israel-hiroshima-b2544204.html Lindsey Graham suggests Israel should nuke Gaza and claims Hiroshima bomb was ‘the right thing’]</ref><ref>[https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/us-senator-lindsey-graham-suggests-israel-should-nuke-gaza-hiroshima-comparison-2538866-2024-05-14US Senator suggests Israel should nuke Gaza, says 'give the bombs they need' ]</ref><ref>[https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/2024/5/15/%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89 ليندسي غراهام.. سيناتور أميركي حرّض على قصف غزة بالنووي]</ref><ref>[https://www.aljazeera.net/politics/2024/5/15/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9 تاريخ حافل بالتحريض.. مغزى دعوة سيناتور أميركي قصف غزة بالنووي]</ref> The [[South China Morning Post]] columnist Alex Lo wrote that the American ruling elite is becoming unhinged, bringing up one American genocide after another to justify the Israeli genocide.<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3262636/nuke-or-level-gaza-question  Opinion | To nuke or to level Gaza? That is the question]</ref> Hamas issued a statement on the remarks referring to Graham's "deep moral decline and the genocide and colonialism mentality that he harbors" and calling him "among the U.S. political elite, who align themselves with a full-fledged genocidal crime committed by the amoral Israeli army against isolated civilians".<ref>[https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/hamas-slams-us-senator-for-suggesting-nuclear-attack-on-gaza/3218214# Hamas slams US senator for suggesting nuclear attack on Gaza]</ref> Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman [[Nasser Kanaani]] said, "These horrible statements by an American senator in justifying and encouraging the use of nuclear bombs by the Zionist regime reflect the brutality of those who advocate war and disregard human rights and international resolutions."<ref>[https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/498570/Senator-s-suggestion-to-Israel-to-nuke-Gaza-is-horrible-Iran Senator’s suggestion to Israel to nuke Gaza is ‘horrible’: Iran]</ref>

On May 20, in response to ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's announcement of his intention to seek arrest warrants of senior Israeli officials in connection to [[War crimes in the Gaza war|war crimes committed in the Israel–Hamas war]], Graham called for sanctions to be placed on the ICC<ref>{{cite press release|date=May 21, 2024|title=Bipartisan Senators Condemn ICC Action Against Israel|url=https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=77ED4242-1263-4CDE-80A2-215064ADFD4E|location=Washington, D.C.|website=Lgraham.senate.gov|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522212447/https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=77ED4242-1263-4CDE-80A2-215064ADFD4E|archive-date=May 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> and said: "This outrageous decision is truly a slap in the face to the independent judiciary of Israel, which is renowned for their independence."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4674354-graham-rips-outrageous-icc-prosecutor-request-for-israel-arrest-warrants/|title=Graham rips 'outrageous' ICC prosecutor request for Israel arrest warrants|last=Bolton|first=Alexander|date=May 20, 2024|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|language=en|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522203618/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4674354-graham-rips-outrageous-icc-prosecutor-request-for-israel-arrest-warrants/|archive-date=May 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> He added, "If they do this to Israel, we're next".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/22/icc-international-order-criminal-court-israel-war-crimes/|title=The ICC's battle with Israel is a test of the international order|last=Tharoor|first=Ishaan|date=May 22, 2024|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/if-they-do-this-to-israel-were-next-us-senator-raises-concern-over-icc-arrest-warrant-request/3226488|title='If they do this to Israel, we're next': US Senator raises concern over ICC arrest warrant request|last=Turan|first=Iclal|date=May 22, 2024|website=[[Anadolu Agency]]|access-date=May 22, 2024}}</ref>

On May 29, Graham met with Netanyahu and called [[ICJ]] President [[Nawaf Salam]] a "raving antisemite".<ref name="timeis1">[https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/world-court-president-a-raving-antisemite-lindsey-graham-tells-netanyahu/ World Court president a ‘raving antisemite,’ Lindsey Graham tells Netanyahu]</ref><ref>[https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-804215?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=other Netanyahu to US Senator Lindsey Graham: 'We will consider the Hague Tribunal']</ref> Graham has visited Israel five times since the Hamas attack on October 7, and Netanyahu said he has no better friend for Israel than Graham.<ref name="timeis1" />　

On July 5, Graham said, "The Palestinians in Gaza are the most radicalized population on the planet, who are taught to hate Jews from birth".<ref>[https://www.foxcarolina.com/2024/07/04/lindsey-graham-responds-protests-sc-residence/ Lindsey Graham responds to protests at SC residence]</ref><ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/4/senator-lindsey-graham-slams-palestinians-as-radicalised-in-social-post Senator Lindsey Graham slams Palestinians as ‘radicalised’ in social post]</ref><ref>[https://www.jpost.com/international/article-809132 Sen. Lindsey Graham: Gazans ‘taught to hate Jews from birth,’ ‘most radicalized population’]</ref> [[Council on American–Islamic Relations|CAIR]] issued a statement condemning his remark.<ref>[https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-condemns-sen-grahams-racist-comments-targeting-palestinians/ CAIR Condemns Sen. Graham’s Racist Comments Targeting Palestinians]</ref>

On November 23, Graham argued that, in response to the [[International Criminal Court|ICC]] arrest warrants for [[Netanyahu]] and [[Yoav Gallant|Gallant]], allied countries such as Canada, the UK, Germany, and France should be [[Economic sanctions|sanctioned]] if they assist the ICC.<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-warns-us-allies-over-netanyahu-warrant-1990635 Lindsey Graham Warns US Allies Over Netanyahu Warrant: 'Crush Your Economy' newsweek]</ref>

On June 1, 2025, in response to [[Greta Thunberg]] traveling on a ship bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza, Graham wrote on [[Twitter|X]]: "Hope Greta and her friends can swim!"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilmour |first=David |date=2025-06-02 |title=Lindsay Graham Under Fire for Ominous Jab at Greta Thunberg |url=https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/lindsay-graham-under-fire-for-ominous-jab-at-greta-thunberg-as-she-heads-to-gaza-deranged/ |access-date=2025-06-07 |website=Mediaite |language=en}}</ref>

==== Venezuela ====
In May 2019, Graham called for a military invasion of Venezuela to overthrow [[Nicolás Maduro]] amid the [[2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kleefeld|first=Eric|date=May 26, 2019|title=Lindsey Graham proposes invading Venezuela to oust Maduro|url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/5/26/18640654/lindsey-graham-trump-invade-venezuela-reagan-grenada|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025554/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/5/26/18640654/lindsey-graham-trump-invade-venezuela-reagan-grenada|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=May 27, 2019|website=Vox}}</ref>

==== Niger ====
In October 2017, in the wake of the [[Tongo Tongo ambush]], which killed four U.S. soldiers, Graham said, "I didn't know there was a thousand troops in Niger."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/senators-are-stunned-to-discover-we-have-1000-troops-in-niger|title=Senators Stunned to Discover We Have 1,000 Troops in Niger|last=Woodruff|first=Betsy|date=October 23, 2017|work=The Daily Beast|access-date=October 27, 2017|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025552/https://www.thedailybeast.com/senators-are-stunned-to-discover-we-have-1000-troops-in-niger|url-status=live}}</ref> A few days later, he called for an expanded role of the U.S. military in Niger: "You're going to see more actions in Africa, not less; you're going to see more aggression by the United States toward our enemies, not less; you're going to have decisions being made not in the White House but out in the field."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/23/parts-of-niger-and-mali-are-already-lawless-u-s-strategy-might-make-it-worse/|title=Analysis {{!}} Parts of Niger and Mali are already lawless. U.S. strategy might make it worse.|last=Bearak|first=Max|date=October 23, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 27, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025619/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/23/parts-of-niger-and-mali-are-already-lawless-u-s-strategy-might-make-it-worse/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Syria ====
In July 2018, Graham and Senator [[Jeanne Shaheen]] visited [[Manbij]] in Syria and met the [[Manbij Military Council]], which led an [[Manbij offensive (2016)|offensive]] to liberate the city from [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIS]] in 2016 with help from the [[Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve|US-led coalition]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1332101/middle-east |title=US Senators Graham and Shaheen visit flashpoint town Manbij |work=[[Arab News]] |date=July 2, 2018 |access-date=September 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025616/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1332101/middle-east |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Saudi Arabia ====
In March 2015, Graham supported the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Pecqet|first=Julian|date=March 27, 2015|title=Saudi Arabia Gets Bipartisan Backing for Yemen Airstrikes|work=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/03/27/saudi-arabia-gets-bipartisan-backing-for-yemen-airstrikes|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328004338/http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/03/27/saudi-arabia-gets-bipartisan-backing-for-yemen-airstrikes|archive-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref> saying, "We want to have a relationship with [[Saudi Arabia]]. They're a strategic partner. They're a mortal enemy of the Iranians."<ref>{{cite news|date=October 12, 2018|title=US-Saudi relations are imperiled by journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance|work=[[CNBC]]|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/12/us-saudi-relations-are-imperiled-by-journalistjamal-khashoggis-disappearance.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025548/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/12/us-saudi-relations-are-imperiled-by-journalistjamal-khashoggis-disappearance.html|archive-date=November 17, 2020}}</ref> In June 2019, he was one of seven Republicans to vote to block Trump's [[2017 United States–Saudi Arabia arms deal|Saudi arms deal]] providing weapons to [[Saudi Arabia]], United Arab Emirates and Jordan, and one of five Republicans to vote against an additional 20 arms sales.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/449511-senate-votes-to-block-trumps-saudi-arms-sale/|title=Senate votes to block Trump's Saudi arms sale|date=June 20, 2019|work=The Hill|first=Jordain|last=Carney|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025556/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/449511-senate-votes-to-block-trumps-saudi-arms-sale|url-status=live}}</ref> In late 2019, Graham took a warmer approach toward Saudi Arabia. He praised the Trump administration for sending thousands of additional troops to Saudi Arabia to counter Iran's threat.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 11, 2019|title=Media Calls Out Trump For Sending Troops to Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.mediaite.com/trump/where-did-that-anti-war-rhetoric-go-trump-gets-called-out-for-abandoning-kurds-sending-troops-to-saudi-arabia-instead/|access-date=June 1, 2021|website=Mediaite|language=en}}</ref> He also praised Saudi Arabia for opening its airspace to Israeli flights.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1301290715037798401 |title=Lindsey Graham on Twitter: "A major step forward in normalizing the Mideast and replacing policies of the past with opportunities for the future. I appreciate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for making this important change. It will not go unnoticed in Washington and throughout capitals around the world." |website=twitter.com |access-date=June 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902224842/https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1301290715037798401 |archive-date=September 2, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

'''Turkey'''

In October 2019, Graham said he would "introduce bipartisan sanctions against Turkey if they invade Syria" and that he would "call for their suspension from NATO if they attack Kurdish forces who assisted the US in the destruction of the ISIS Caliphate."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haltiwanger|first=John|title=Lindsey Graham says Congress will call for Turkey to be suspended from NATO and hit it with sanctions if it attacks Kurds|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-warns-turkey-nato-suspension-sanctions-if-kurds-attacked-2019-10|access-date=June 1, 2021|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Armenian genocide ====
In November 2019, Graham blocked a Senate resolution to officially recognize the [[Armenian genocide]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/470386-graham-blocks-resolution-recognizing-armenian-genocide-after-erdogan-meeting/|title=Graham blocks resolution recognizing Armenian genocide after Erdoğan meeting|first=Jordain|last=Carney|date=November 13, 2019|website=The Hill|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025556/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/470386-graham-blocks-resolution-recognizing-armenian-genocide-after-erdogan-meeting|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2019, he voted for the resolution, which passed the Senate unanimously.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tsirkin |first1=Julie |last2=Gregorian |first2=Dareh |title=Senate passes resolution recognizing Armenian genocide |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-passes-resolution-recognizing-armenian-genocide-n1100886 |access-date=October 20, 2020 |work=NBC News |date=December 12, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025556/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-passes-resolution-recognizing-armenian-genocide-n1100886 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Robert Mueller's investigation ===
{{main|Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections|Mueller special counsel investigation}}
In January 2018, and in the first known congressional [[criminal referral]] in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, Graham and Chuck Grassley recommended charges against ex-[[Secret Intelligence Service|MI6]] officer [[Christopher Steele]], named as author of the [[Steele dossier]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/us/politics/christopher-steele-dossier-judiciary-committee.html|title=Republican Senators Recommend Charges Against Author of Trump Dossier|last1=Fandos|first1=Nicholas|author-link1=Nicholas Fandos|date=2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 5, 2018|last2=Rosenberg|first2=Matthew|author-link2=Matthew Rosenberg|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105191310/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/us/politics/christopher-steele-dossier-judiciary-committee.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Grassley and Graham said that they had reason to believe that Steele had lied to federal authorities.<ref name=":02" /> According to ''The New York Times'', "It was not clear why, if a crime is apparent in the F.B.I. reports that were reviewed by the Judiciary Committee, the Justice Department had not moved to charge Mr. Steele already. The circumstances under which Mr. Steele is alleged to have lied were unclear, as much of the referral was classified."<ref name=":02" />

In April 2018, after the FBI raid on the hotel room and offices of Trump's personal attorney, [[Michael Cohen (lawyer)|Michael Cohen]], Graham, [[Cory Booker]], [[Chris Coons]], and [[Thom Tillis]] introduced new legislation to "limit President Trump's ability to fire special counsel [[Robert Mueller]]." Termed the [[Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act]], the legislation would allow any special counsel, in this case Mueller, receive an "expedited judicial review" in the 10 days after being dismissed to determine whether the dismissal was appropriate. If not, the special counsel would be reinstated. At the same time, according to ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'', the bill would "codify regulations" that a special counsel could only be fired by a senior Justice Department official, having to provide reasons in writing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carney|first1=Jordain|title=Senators to introduce new bipartisan bill to protect Mueller|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/382615-senators-to-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-mueller/|website=The Hill|date=April 11, 2018|access-date=April 11, 2018|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025612/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/382615-senators-to-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-mueller|url-status=live}}</ref>

On March 14, 2019, Graham blocked a resolution calling for [[Mueller report|Mueller's report]] to be made public after it passed the House unanimously.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/434124-graham-blocks-resolution-calling-for-mueller-report-to-be-made-public/|title=Graham blocks resolution calling for Mueller report to be made public|last=Conradis|first=Brandon|date=March 14, 2019|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=March 15, 2019|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025608/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/434124-graham-blocks-resolution-calling-for-mueller-report-to-be-made-public|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Mueller's testimony to two [[United States congressional committee|congressional committees]] on July 24, 2019, Graham speculated that "the Mueller report is in name only. It clearly wasn't the Mueller report. It was just in name."<ref>{{cite news |title=Graham: "Mueller Report In Name Only," Special Counsel Was In A "Weakened State" |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/07/25/graham_mueller_report_in_name_only_special_counsel_was_in_a_weakened_state.html |work=Fox News |date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025629/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/07/25/graham_mueller_report_in_name_only_special_counsel_was_in_a_weakened_state.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 25, 2019, Graham said, "The president gave 1.4 million documents to Mueller. [Don] McGahn, his lawyer, testified for 30 hours. He made everybody available to Mueller that Mueller wanted to talk to, and he... answered questions in writing, so this president did nothing to stop Mueller from finding the truth."<ref>{{cite news|title=Lindsey Graham: Mueller's agreement to testify before Congress will 'blow up' in Democrats' faces|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/robert-mueller-testifying-lindsey-graham-reacts|first=Charles|last=Creitz|work=Fox News|date=June 25, 2019|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025618/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/robert-mueller-testifying-lindsey-graham-reacts|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Taxation===
Although Graham signed [[Grover Norquist]]'s [[Taxpayer Protection Pledge]] in June 2012, he went on record supporting the closure of tax loopholes without compensating decreases in other tax revenue, saying, "We're so far in debt that if you don't give up some ideological ground, the country sinks."<ref>Karl, J.; et al. [https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/power-players-abc-news/top-conservative-says-read-lips-don-t-sign-101721355.html "Top conservative says read my lips: Don't sign 'no new tax' pledge"] ''Spinners and Winners, ABC News'', June 12, 2012.</ref>

===Trade===
The [[Cato Institute]]'s Center for Trade Policy Studies identifies Graham, during his U.S. House and U.S. Senate tenure, as having a mostly [[protectionism|protectionist]] and pro-[[subsidy|subsidies]] voting record.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://www.cato.org/research/trade-immigration/congress?senator=110|title=Free Trade, Free Markets: Rating the Congress|access-date=September 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Cato Institute]]|url=http://www.cato.org/research/trade-immigration/congress?rep=1258|title=Free Trade, Free Markets: Rating the Congress|access-date=September 7, 2015}}</ref>

===2015 Charleston church shooting and Confederate flag issue===
After [[Charleston church shooting|a mass shooting at a historic African American church in Charleston]] on June 17, 2015, Graham canceled all campaign events to return to South Carolina. In response to questions from the press regarding the calls from some to remove the [[Confederate flag]] at a war memorial on the [[South Carolina State Capitol]] grounds, Graham said, "Well, at the end of the day it's time for people in South Carolina to revisit that decision. [That] would be fine with me, but this is part of who we are." He continued, "The flag represents to some people a [[Civil War (US)|civil war]], and that was the symbol of one side. To others it's a [[racist]] symbol, and it's been used by people—it's been used in a racist way."<ref name=thehill>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/245535-lindsey-graham-defends-confederate-flag-it-works-here/|title=Lindsey Graham defends Confederate flag: 'It works here'|work=The Hill|first=Jesse|last=Byrnes|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=June 21, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025601/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/245535-lindsey-graham-defends-confederate-flag-it-works-here|url-status=live}}</ref> Of the shooter responsible for the incident, Graham said, "We're not going to give this a guy an excuse about a book he might have read, or a movie he watched, or a song he listened to, or a symbol out anywhere. It's him ... not the flag."<ref>{{cite web|last=Castillo|first=Walbert|title=Lindsey Graham on Charleston shooter: 'It's him ... not the flag'|work=CNN|date=June 20, 2015|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/politics/lindsey-graham-dylann-roof-confederate-flag-gun/|access-date=June 21, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025601/https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/19/politics/lindsey-graham-dylann-roof-confederate-flag-gun/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a statement issued later, Graham said, "There can be no doubt that the shooting ... was racially motivated and signals to all of us that the scars of our history are still with us today. This murderer said he wanted to start a [[race war]]; he has failed miserably. In Charleston this weekend, I saw a community coming together. I saw people seeking solace in what they share together, not in what makes them different."<ref>{{cite web|last=Drucker|first=David M.|title=Lindsey Graham: 'No doubt' Charleston shooting was racially motivated|work=[[Washington Examiner]]|date=June 20, 2015|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/graham-no-doubt-s.c.-shooting-was-racist/article/2566712|access-date=June 21, 2015|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025606/https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/lindsey-graham-no-doubt-charleston-shooting-was-racially-motivated|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023===
Graham was among the 31 Senate Republicans who voted against final passage of the [[Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4031302-here-are-the-senators-who-voted-against-the-bill-to-raise-the-debt-ceiling/|title=Here are the senators who voted against the bill to raise the debt ceiling|first=Aris|last=Folley|date=June 1, 2023|access-date=June 17, 2023|work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|archive-date=June 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618001804/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4031302-here-are-the-senators-who-voted-against-the-bill-to-raise-the-debt-ceiling/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Campaign contributions ==

In 2016, ''The Boston Globe'' reported that Graham was "the only Republican recipient of money from a major Democratic donor now facing scrutiny for some questionable campaign donation habits."<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.postandcourier.com/news/palmetto-politics-u-s-sen-lindsey-graham-named-in-boston/article%5C_ec195412-a06f-11e6-aceb-0b7fb7a0ca48.html|title=PALMETTO POLITICS: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham named in Boston law firm donation exposé|first1=Schuyler|last1=Kropf|first2=Emma|last2=Dumain|date=November 5, 2016|work=[[The Post and Courier]]|access-date=September 18, 2017|language=en|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025602/https://www.postandcourier.com/news/palmetto-politics-u-s-sen-lindsey-graham-named-in-boston/article%5c_ec195412-a06f-11e6-aceb-0b7fb7a0ca48.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Thornton Law Firm is nationally known for its expertise in asbestos-related litigation. Over a ten-year period, Graham received $62,800 in [[Campaign finance|campaign contributions]] from the firm's partners. ''The Boston Globe'' found that the firm, in almost every case, would reimburse partners' political contributions—in the exact amount<ref name=":2" />—within 10 days of the contributions being made. Between 2010 and 2014, the firm's partners and one of their wives contributed $1.6 million to politicians; $1.4 million was given back to the partners from the firm. The firm told reporters that according to outside consultants the practice was not unlawful because the checks are not bonuses, instead coming out of the partners' firm equity accounts.<ref name=":2" />

A spokesman for Graham said that Graham would return the money he received from the firm's lawyers if the law firm were indicted or convicted on corruption charges.<ref name=":2" />

==Presidential politics==
{{Main|Lindsey Graham 2016 presidential campaign}}
[[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With Senators McCain, Graham, Barrasso (11728192345).jpg|thumb|right|Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] meets with senators [[John McCain]], [[John Barrasso]] and Lindsey Graham in [[Jerusalem]] on January 3, 2014]]
Graham supported [[John McCain]] for president in 2000 and served as national co-chair of McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.<ref name=maverick/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Stolberg|first1=Sheryl Gay|title=In the Senate, a Chorus of Three Defies the Line|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/21/politics/21trio.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|access-date=June 6, 2014|date=November 21, 2005|work=[[The New York Times]]|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025633/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/21/politics/in-the-senate-a-chorus-of-three-defies-the-line.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[2012 United States presidential election|2012]], Graham's endorsement was highly sought,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/romney-racks-up-more-endorsements-as-santorum-exits/ |title=Romney racks up more endorsements as Santorum exits |work=CBS News |date=April 10, 2012 |access-date=October 9, 2014 |first=Sarah B. |last=Boxer |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025639/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/romney-racks-up-more-endorsements-as-santorum-exits/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but he declined to endorse a [[Republican Party presidential candidates, 2012|Republican candidate]] before the January [[United States presidential election in South Carolina, 2012#Republican primary|South Carolina Republican primary]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/17/politics/santorum-senate/ |title=Where is all the support for Santorum in the Senate? |work=CNN|date=February 18, 2012 |access-date=October 9, 2014 |author=Dana Bash |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025607/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/17/politics/santorum-senate/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After [[Rick Santorum]] withdrew from the race in April 2012, leaving [[Mitt Romney]] as the presumptive nominee, Graham endorsed Romney.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/111090-floodgates-open-on-romney-endorsements/ |title=Floodgates open on Romney endorsements |work=The Hill |date=April 10, 2012 |access-date=October 9, 2014 |first=Sarah B. |last=Boxer |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025602/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/220825-floodgates-open-on-romney-endorsements |url-status=live }}</ref>

During his Senate reelection race in October 2014, while discussing immigration and foreign policy issues with a reporter from ''[[The Weekly Standard]]'', Graham said, "If I get through my general election, if nobody steps up in the presidential mix, if nobody's out there talking ... I may just jump in to get to make these arguments."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/lindsay-graham-marco-rubio-111584.html |title=Lindsey Graham: Marco Rubio 'not quite ready' |work=[[Politico]] |date=October 3, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2014 |author=Topaz, Jonathan |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025607/https://www.politico.com/story/2014/10/lindsay-graham-marco-rubio-111584 |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 7, 2015, at a "Politics and Pies" forum, Graham advocated the reversal of defense spending cuts and quipped: "If I were President of the United States, I wouldn't let Congress leave town until we fix this. I would literally use the military to keep them in if I had to."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://benswann.com/graham-military-force-congress/ |title=As POTUS, Sen. Graham Vows U.S. Military Force Against Non-Compliant Congress |last1=Noyes |first1=Ron |date=March 11, 2015 |website=benswann.com |publisher=Ben Swann |access-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413175941/http://benswann.com/graham-military-force-congress/ |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

On April 19, 2015, Graham told Chris Wallace, on the ''[[Fox News Sunday]]'' show, that he was "91% sure" he would run for president. "If I can raise the money, I'll do it," he said.<ref>{{cite news|last=Schwarz|first=Hunter|title=Lindsey Graham says He's '91 percent' Sure He'll Run for President|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 19, 2015|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/04/19/lindsey-graham-says-hes-91-percent-sure-hell-run-for-president/|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025700/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/04/19/lindsey-graham-says-hes-91-percent-sure-hell-run-for-president/?arc404=true|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 18, 2015, Graham informally announced that he would run for president on ''[[CBS This Morning]]'', saying he was running because he thinks "the world is falling apart."<ref name=president>{{cite news|last=Stableford|first=Dylan |url=https://www.yahoo.com/politics/lindsey-graham-i-am-running-because-the-world-is-119274762516.html|title=Lindsey Graham: 'I am running because the world is falling apart'|publisher=[[Yahoo! News]]|date=May 18, 2015|access-date=May 18, 2015}}</ref>

Graham announced his [[Lindsey Graham presidential campaign, 2016|candidacy for President]] on June 1, 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Lindsey Graham Announces Presidential Bid|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/politics/lindsey-graham-presidential-campaign.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2015|issn=0362-4331|first=Alan|last=Rappeport|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025411/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/politics/lindsey-graham-presidential-campaign.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 21, 2015, Graham suspended his presidential campaign, due to lack of support and poor polling, and on January 15, 2016, endorsed former [[List of Governors of Florida|Florida Governor]] [[Jeb Bush]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Killough|first1=Ashley|last2=Wright|first2=David|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/15/politics/lindsey-graham-jeb-bush-endorsement/index.html?eref=rss_latest|title=Lindsey Graham endorses Jeb Bush|work=CNN|date=January 15, 2016|access-date=January 15, 2016|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025606/https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/15/politics/lindsey-graham-jeb-bush-endorsement/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After it appeared certain that Donald Trump would become the Republican nominee in May 2016, Graham announced that he would not vote for Trump or [[Hillary Clinton]], commenting: "I think Donald Trump is going to places where very few people have gone and I'm not going with him."<ref name =Trump>{{cite web|first=Dana|last=Bash|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/06/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-not-vote|title=Lindsey Graham won't vote for Trump or Clinton in 2016|work=[[CNN]]|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=May 7, 2016|archive-date=May 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509194309/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/06/politics/lindsey-graham-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-not-vote|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 8, 2016, Graham announced that he had voted for [[Evan McMullin]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wang|first1=Amy B|title=Sen. Lindsey Graham: 'I voted Evan McMullin for president'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016/live-updates/general-election/real-time-updates-on-the-2016-election-voting-and-race-results/sen-lindsey-graham-i-voted-evan-mcmullin-for-president/|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 17, 2017|date=November 8, 2017|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808074651/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2016/live-updates/general-election/real-time-updates-on-the-2016-election-voting-and-race-results/sen-lindsey-graham-i-voted-evan-mcmullin-for-president/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ {{ushr|South Carolina|3}}: results 1994–2000<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Election Statistics |access-date=August 8, 2007 |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730201058/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=July 30, 2008 }}</ref>
!|Year
!
!|Democratic
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
|-
|[[1994 United States House of Representatives elections|1994]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|James E. Bryan Jr.}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |59,932
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |40%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Lindsey Graham'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''90,123'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''60%'''
|
|
|
|
|
| |'''*'''
|-
|[[1996 United States House of Representatives elections|1996]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Debbie Dorn
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |73,417
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |39%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Lindsey Graham''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''114,273'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''60%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Lindal Pennington
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Natural Law Party (United States)|Natural Law]]
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1,835
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |1%
|
|-
|[[1998 United States House of Representatives elections|1998]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |''(no candidate)''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Lindsey Graham''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''129,047'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''100%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |402
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|-
|[[2000 United States House of Representatives elections|2000]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |George Brightharp
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |67,170
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |30%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Lindsey Graham''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''150,180'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''68%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Adrian Banks
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |3,116
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |1%
| |'''*'''
|}
{{refbegin}}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1994, write-ins received 13 votes.  In 2000, [[Natural Law Party (United States)|Natural Law]] candidate LeRoy J. Klein received 1,122 votes and write-ins received 33 votes.  George Brightharp ran under both the Democratic and United Citizens Parties and received 2,253 votes on the United Citizen line.
{{refend}}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ [[List of United States senators from South Carolina|Senate elections in South Carolina (Class II)]]: results 2002–2014<ref name="clerkresults" />
!|Year
!
!|Democratic
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
|-
|[[2002 United States Senate election in South Carolina|2002]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|[[Alex Sanders (politician)|Alex Sanders]]}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |487,359
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |44%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Lindsey Graham'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''600,010'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''54%'''
|
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |Ted Adams
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |[[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution]]
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |8,228
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |1%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Victor Kocher
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |6,648
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |1%
| |'''*'''
|-
|[[2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina|2008]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|[[Bob Conley (politician)|Bob Conley]]}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |785,559
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |42%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Lindsey Graham''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''1,069,137'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''58%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Write-in candidate|Write-ins]]
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |608
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |<1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[2014 United States Senate election in South Carolina|2014]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|[[Brad Hutto]]}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |480,933
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |39%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Lindsey Graham''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''672,941'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''54%'''
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Thomas Ravenel
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Independent
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |47,588
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Victor Kocher
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |33,839
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |3%
| |'''*'''
|-
|[[2020 United States Senate election in South Carolina|2020]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|[[Jaime Harrison]]}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |1,110,828
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |44%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Lindsey Graham''' '''(incumbent)'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |'''1,369,137'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''54%'''
|
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |Bill Bledsoe 
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} |Constitution
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |32,845
|{{Party shading/ConstitutionUSA}} align="right" |1%
|}

===Primary elections===

{{Election box begin no change
 | title      = [[2008 United States Senate election in South Carolina#Republican primary|2008 United States Senate Republican primary election in South Carolina]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/4186/7382/en/summary.html|title=2008 Republican Party Primary Election Results|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|website=enr.scvotes.org|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025606/https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/4186/7382/en/summary.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Lindsey Graham (incumbent)
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 187,736
 | percentage = 66.84%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Buddy Witherspoon
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 93,125
 | percentage = 33.16%
}}
{{Election box total no change
 | votes      = 280,861
 | percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
 | title      = [[2014 United States Senate election in South Carolina#Republican primary|2014 United States Senate Republican primary election in South Carolina]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/51763/133986/en/summary.html#|title=2014 Republican Party Primary Election Results|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|website=enr.scvotes.org|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025631/https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/51763/133986/en/summary.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Lindsey Graham (incumbent)
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes       = 178,833
 | percentage = 56.42%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Lee Bright
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 48,904
 | percentage = 15.43%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Richard Cash
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 26,325
 | percentage = 8.30%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Det Bowers
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 23,172
 | percentage = 7.31%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = [[Nancy Mace]]
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 19,634
 | percentage = 6.19%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Bill Connor
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 16,912
 | percentage = 5.34%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Benjamin Dunn
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 3,209
 | percentage = 1.01%
}}
{{Election box total no change
 | votes      = 316,989
 | percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
 | title      = [[2020 United States Senate election in South Carolina#Republican primary|2020 United States Senate Republican primary election in South Carolina]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/103402/Web02-state.250556/#/|title=2020 Republican Party Primary Election Results|publisher=South Carolina State Election Commission|website=enr.scvotes.org|access-date=September 29, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025615/https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/103402/Web02-state.250556/#/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Lindsey Graham (incumbent)
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 317,512
 | percentage = 67.69%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Michael LaPierre
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 79,932
 | percentage = 17.04%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Joe Reynolds
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 43,029
 | percentage = 9.17%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | candidate  = Duke Buckner
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | votes      = 28,570
 | percentage = 6.09%
}}
{{Election box total no change
 | votes      = 469,043
 | percentage = 100.00%
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Personal life==
Graham helped raise his sister, Darline Graham Nordone, after the deaths of his mother and father, which occurred within 15 months of each other,<ref>{{cite web |first=Jamie |last=Self |url=http://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article13855640.html |title=Lindsey Graham's sister discusses childhood, losing parents in senator's new campaign ads |work=The State |date=May 20, 2014 |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025632/https://www.thestate.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article13855640.html |url-status=live }}</ref> leaving the two without parents when Graham was 22 and she was 13. Graham has said that his parents' early deaths made him mature more quickly, and Nordone, who introduced her brother at his 2016 announcement of his candidacy for president, said she hoped to be with him on the campaign trail frequently to show voters his softer side. "He's kind of like a brother, a father and a mother rolled into one," she said. "I've always looked up to Lindsey."<ref name="auto">{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Rappeport |title=Lindsey Graham Enters White House Race With Emphasis on National Security |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 1, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/politics/lindsey-graham-presidential-campaign.html?_r=0 |access-date=July 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117025611/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/us/politics/lindsey-graham-presidential-campaign.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Having never married or had children,<ref name=maverick/> Graham has said, "I never found time to meet the right girl, or the right girl was smart enough not to have time for me." According to his memoir, while in law school, he had a girlfriend named Debbie, and two more during his time in the Air Force in Germany: a JAG officer named Carol who later served on [[Colin Powell]]'s staff, and a flight attendant named Sylvia, whom he considered proposing to.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/books/lindsey-graham-memoir-my-story-explains-why-he-never-married/|title=Lindsey Graham Memoir, My Story, Explains Why He Never Married|website=Peoplemag}}</ref> He has denied being gay.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/politics/lindsey-graham-denies-being-gay-after-chelsea-handler-trolls-him/|title=Lindsey Graham Says 'I'm Not Gay' After Chelsea Handler Trolls Him on National Coming Out Day|website=Peoplemag}}</ref>

Graham lives in [[Seneca, South Carolina]]. A [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]], he is a member of Seneca's Corinth Baptist Church.<ref name=bio/>

==See also==
* [[Conspiracy theories related to the Trump–Ukraine scandal]]
* [[2016 Republican Party presidential candidates]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051104083353/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2005/0504.earle.html "Swing Conservative: The perilous bipartisanship of Lindsey Graham."], ''Washington Monthly'', April 2005.
* [http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/032607b.html "The American Ghosts of Abu Ghraib"], Sam Provance, ''Consortium News'', March 2007.
* [https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/10/lindsey-graham-not-nuclear-wussy-pants "Lindsey Graham: Not a Nuclear Wussypants"], Kate Sheppard, ''Mother Jones'', October 2009.
* [https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/10/11/as-the-world-burns "As the World Burns"], Ryan Lizza, ''The New Yorker'', October 2010.
* [https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324577904578559282180499940 "Lindsey Graham: The Senate's Republican Deal Maker"], Matthew Kaminski, ''The Wall Street Journal'', June 2013.
* [https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/30/politics/lindsey-graham-challenge/ "Who can beat Lindsey Graham?"], Peter Hamby, CNN, August 2013.
* [http://www.free-times.com/cover/lindsey-graham-stares-down-the-tea-party-042314 "Lindsey Graham Stares Down the Tea Party"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430111754/http://www.free-times.com/cover/lindsey-graham-stares-down-the-tea-party-042314 |date=April 30, 2016 }}, Corey Hutchins, ''Free Times'', April 2014.

==External links==
{{commons}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://lgraham.senate.gov/ Senator Lindsey Graham] official U.S. Senate website
* [https://www.lindseygraham.com Campaign website]
{{CongLinks |congbio=g000359 |votesmart=21992 |fec=S0SC00149 |congress=lindsey-graham/452 }}
* {{C-SPAN|36782}}

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[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century Baptists]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the South Carolina General Assembly]]
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