Senator Lindsey Graham, staunch Israel supporter, dies at 71 from 'brief and sudden illness'

US Senator Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of Israel and a significant figure in Republican politics, died Saturday evening at the age of 71 after a brief and sudden illness. His office confirmed the news early Sunday, requesting privacy for his family during this difficult time.

Emergency personnel responded to a cardiac arrest call at Graham's home on Saturday night. Police scanner audio obtained by NBC News indicated the nature of the emergency, and photographs showed paramedics transporting a person from his home to an ambulance amid a significant police and fire department presence.

Graham, a prominent senator from South Carolina, had a notable political trajectory. He initially emerged as a vocal critic of then-candidate Donald Trump but later became one of his staunchest allies on Capitol Hill. His career began in Central, South Carolina, where his parents owned a restaurant and pool hall. He was the first in his family to earn an undergraduate degree.

Elected to the US House of Representatives in 1994, Graham later served in the US Senate starting in 2002, securing re-election in 2008, 2014, and 2020. He also served in the US Air Force Reserves for 33 years, retiring at the rank of Colonel in June 2015, utilizing his military law expertise during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.